Report: FC Lorient want Aston Villa defender Frederic Guilbert on loan

French outfit FC Lorient are reportedly keen to take Aston Villa defender Frederic Guilbert on loan.

The 26-year-old has not yet featured for the club this season, and has been out of the picture since towards the end of 2019/20.

Guilbert, who joined the club in the summer of 2019 from Caen, made a good start at Villa Park and was, and still is, well liked by fans.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

But he fell out of favour with Dean Smith, who then went and signed Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest during the last transfer window.

According to GFFN’s Mohamed Toubache, struggling FC Lorient have now expressed interest in taking the player for the rest of the season.

Guilbert was also linked with an exit from the club following Cash’s arrival, with Nantes reported to be keen at the time.

TBR’s View – Loan would suit all parties

Villa are playing very well this season, and Cash has been one of the standout performers.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

It’s difficult to see where minutes will come from for Guilbert, with Ahmed Elmohamady seemingly Smith’s backup choice.

It makes sense for the club to allow Guilbert a loan move at this point – a player of his quality doesn’t have to be sitting bench.