Frederic Guilbert admits he’s receiving harsh criticism for agreeing to sign for Aston Villa

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Aston Villa snapped up Frenchman Frederic Guilbert in January.

Caen defender Frederic Guilbert has admitted to France Bleu that he isn’t surprised that he’s received some abusive criticism after signing for Aston Villa.

Villa swooped to land the likes of Lovre Kalinic, Kortney Hause, Tyrone Mings and Tom Carroll in January, bolstering Dean Smith’s squad immediately.

However, they also tied up a deal for the future, as they signed right back Guilbert from Caen before loaning him straight back to the Ligue 1 side.

The former Bordeaux man started his career with Caen before returning in 2017, and he has been a key player ever since his return, sparking Villa’s interest.

The 24-year-old cost Villa £5million according to the Birmingham Mail, and many were baffled at Villa spending so much on him only to loan him straight back to Caen.

Guilbert wanted to help his club though, as they find themselves in a perilous position in Ligue 1, battling against relegation. Right now, Caen sit 18^th in the Ligue 1 table.

The bottom two clubs go down, and the third bottom side – where Caen sit – must play a promotion/relegation play-off. Caen are seven points adrift of 17^th placed Amiens, just one point ahead of Guingamp in 19^th and two points clear of Dijon.

Caen will subsequently be involved in the end of the season scramble for safety, and Guilbert has reiterated that his full focus is with Caen and not Aston Villa at all, as he’s worried about Caen ‘more than 1000%’.

Guilbert admitted that he’s getting ‘abusive’ criticism from some fans for agreeing to join Villa, and whilst he knew that would happen, he promised that he wants to ensure he only leaves with Caen in Ligue 1 rather than Ligue 2.

“Now some criticisms are sometimes abusive,” said Guilbert. “After signing for Aston Villa, I can understand, and many people say that ‘he has his mind elsewhere’. I knew that these things were going to be said when I signed for Aston Villa.”

“I am concerned by the club at more than 1000%. My head is not at Aston Villa. I’m concentrating on Caen because I really want to save them, and help the club stay in Ligue 1. This is the club in my area. I was trained here. It’s important for me to see them in Ligue 1 and not in Ligue 2,” he added.