But against Villarreal, he showed flashes of real quality to threaten the Villarreal rearguard. He replaced Jamal Jimoh-Aloba in the 70th minute, playing off the left and tucking inside when Ian Maatsen bombed on down the flank from wing-back. But Guessand’s best moments actually came from him occupying width, which was interesting.

Aston Villa have signed Evann Guessand from Nice for a fee worth €35million (£30.4m; $40.5m). They will pay a €30m up-front fee and a further €5m in add-ons. The 24-year-old has signed a long-term deal with Villa.

Aston Villa has made its first major signing of the summer by landing Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand from French club Nice for a reported fee of at least 30 million euros.