Former Aston Villa flop makes surprising revelation that he still very much carries a flame for his old club.
Yacouba Sylla in action for Villa
He may have only played 22 times for Villa in an unsuccessful two-year spell but Sylla, now on loan Montpellier from Rennes, has revealed he still follows the club’s results every week, in an interview with Get French Football News.
The club had high hopes for the Malian when they signed him on a three and a half year deal on deadline day in January 2013.
But the midfielder, now 26, failed to cement a place in the Villa side and went on to make just 22 league appearances.
Just 18 months after signing Sylla was loaned to Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspor and a year later he joined Rennes on a four-year deal.
So it was something of a surprise three years after leaving to hear Sylla speak so passionately about Villa.
“Personally, I follow Villa every weekend, because I still have colleagues who play there,” Sylla told Get French Football News.
“I would not say that it is a club that is sinking, because it was bought not long ago, and you still have the passion of their supporters there.
“We all know their supporters – it is magical at Villa Park that the fans are always there for the team, even in the Championship.
Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia celebrates scoring their second goal
“I think that they will easily stay up in the Championship, and since it is a transitional season they will have had the time to rebuild to be able to hope to re-join the Premier League, because it is one of the most decorated clubs in England with Manchester United, and one that had never been relegated.”
Sylla’s words will warm the hearts of Villa fans, many of whom are still hurting after seeing their club used by some footballing mercenaries over the last few years.
Steve Bruce
The club briefly flirted with the prospect of being involved in a relegation battle but Steve Bruce has steadied the ship and the club is now 11th after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Norwich City.
The aim next season will surely be promotion as new owner Tony Xia has spoken of his desire to return to the top flight as quickly as possible.
But the likes of Leeds United and Derby are examples of just how difficult a task that can prove to be.
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