---
title: "Aston Villa World Cup Watch: Evann Guessand Faces Tough Curacao Test Tonight"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/06/25/evann-guessand-curacao-aston-villa-world-cup/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "ryan"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-06-25T08:08:08Z"
modified: "2026-06-25T08:08:13Z"
---

# Aston Villa World Cup Watch: Evann Guessand Faces Tough Curacao Test Tonight

Evann Guessand has handed Aston Villa another World Cup thread to follow as Ivory Coast prepare to close their Group E campaign against Curacao tonight.

[Villa’s official international diary](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/june/01/internationals-2026-world-cup-international-diary/) lists the fixture for Thursday, June 25, with kick-off at 9pm. It gives Unai Emery a live look at a forward whose tournament role carries clear relevance before the squad reconvenes for pre-season.

https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2068289256095928565

## Unai Emery Gets Another Guessand Signal

Ivory Coast already put themselves in a strong position by beating Ecuador 1-0 in their opener, with Amad Diallo scoring the decisive late goal, according to [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/760423/ecuador-ivory-coast). [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/13543089/world-cup-2026-group-e-guide-fixtures-schedule-standings-and-odds-for-germany-curacao-ivory-coast-and-ecuador) notes that the top two nations in each World Cup group progress, with the eight best third-placed sides also reaching the round of 32.

For Villa, the intrigue is simple: Guessand’s minutes, sharpness and role matter. The 24-year-old remains one of the club’s more interesting attacking assets, and a decisive Ivory Coast appearance would strengthen the argument that he can return to Bodymoor Heath with momentum rather than uncertainty.

The timing is useful, too. Villa’s pre-season calendar is already active, and international rhythm can be valuable for players trying to force their way back into serious first-team calculations.

Emery will not redraw his attacking plan off one international night. But if Guessand influences a high-pressure World Cup fixture, Villa will have another data point before a summer that already demands ruthless decisions.