Evann Guessand makes promise that Aston Villa fans will love after sealing £30m transfer

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Aston Villa have completed the signing of OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand to boost their forward line ahead of the new season.

Aston Villa beat Crystal Palace to Guessand’s signature, the 24-year-old joining for a reported £26million, with £4million of potential add-ons, after netting 13 goals and providing ten assists in 42 appearances last season.

Villa announced Guessand’s signing on Friday, talking up his ability to play across the front line and provide competition to the likes of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers.

The Ivory Coast international has been compared to compatriot Didier Drogba due to his strength and powerful playing style, and reportedly turned down interest from the Saudi Pro League to move to the Premier League.

And in his first words as a Villa player, Guessand made a punchy promise to Villa fans in a video released by the club.

Evann Guessand ‘ready’ for Aston Villa and eager to improve under Unai Emery

After sealing his Villa switch, Nice sent a classy message to Guessand, telling Villa to ‘Please take care of him,” in an Instagram compilation of the forward’s highlights in France.

And Guessand vowed to hit the ground running at Villa Park in a video of his own, saying he only wanted to join Unai Emery’s side when their interest was confirmed.

“This club is special. History, pride, passion, the belief,” Guessand says. “When I heard the club wanted me, I didn’t think twice. I’m ready to give my all, every game, every minute, every kick. Villains, I’ve heard all about you. I’m now ready to see and hear you.”

Guessand also said the lure of working with Unai Emery clinched his decision, telling VillaTV: “I know this coach since a long time ago, I saw him in the French league. He’s known for the way he improves players he works with.

“I was thinking about this, I’m a young player who wants to improve. I have many qualities to improve so when I spoke to the coach I thought it was the right coach for me to become better and better.”

Evann Guessand aims to replicate Didier Drogba and Dimitar Berbatov in the Premier League

Naturally, Aston Villa are delighted with Guessand’s ability, and if Villa fans themselves are keen to get a sense of what kind of player their new striker will be, he has gone on record to compare himself to two Premier League greats.

He has a close relationship with fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba, reportedly keeping in touch with the former Chelsea striker after meeting him while on international duty.

Speaking to DAZN Confidential earlier this year (as relayed by Sport-Ivoire), Guessand said: “During my time in Abidjan, I had to see Drogba as a legend. Seeing him at Chelsea, the goals he scores, is a dream. Why not be like him one day?”

And Guessand also models his game on another Premier League maverick, telling L’Equipe in 2023: “One day, my agent sent me a video of Dimitar Berbatov working against a wall. I’ve been doing the same thing for three or four years.”

If the 24-year-old can come close to what Berbatov or Drogba produced in the Premier League on a regular basis, Villa fans are in for a treat.