Evann Guessand completes blockbuster move to Aston Villa

After plenty of speculation about his future following an outstanding 2024-25 season at Ligue 1 side Nice, Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand is off to England after Premier League side Aston Villa announced his transfer on Friday.

 

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The 24-year-old forward joins for a reported €30 million fee from Nice. Aston Villa will hope that Guessand can replicate his exploits with Nice at the Birmingham club which finished 6th place last season in England’s top flight, qualifying the Villans for the UEFA Europa League in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.

A versatile attacker who prefers to operate as a striker but can also play as a forward on either flank, Guessand joins after enjoying a breakout season in his club career. The French-born player accumulated 13 goals and 7 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions last season for Nice, who finished 4th in Ligue 1.

𝟏𝟐 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐬 en @Ligue1 pour Evann Guessand 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/QYDchKZoYr

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) May 27, 2025

In addition to starring for his club, Guessand is becoming a regular sight in the first XI for Ivory Coast. He scored his first goal for the Elephants on March 21, the only goal in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying 1-0 victory over Burundi.

Aston Villa finish up their preseason with games against Olympique de Marseille and then Spain’s Villarreal before beginning their 2025-26 Premier League season at home against Newcastle United on August 18.