Frederic Guilbert was hoping to force his way back into the Aston Villa squad after being frozen out last season, but it doesn’t appear he’s been successful. Matty Cash was expected to be first-choice right-back in 2022/23, but Guilbert had a chance of being his backup. Those hopes may be dashed now though.
The 27-year-old returned from his loan spell at Racing Strasbourg in May and displayed a positive attitude over the summer that led to Steven Gerrard giving him 45 minutes in Villa’s 1-0 win over Leeds United on July 17, but he hasn’t managed to kick on.
Guilbert was left out of Villa’s 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on July 20 and 2-2 draw with Manchester United on July 23, so Kaine Kesler Hayden assumed the supporting role in his absence. And a recent picture posted on social media suggests Guilbert is now part of the ‘bomb squad’, as he appears to be training with the U23s.
Cash and Kesler Hayden could be first and second-choice at right-back when Villa travel to face Bournemouth on Saturday, August 6. Guilbert might be left out of the squad and made available for a transfer.
In other news, squad number change means Aston Villa won’t upgrade Danny Ings
