‘Not sure’: Ian Taylor questions Aston Villa 27-year-old’s future after pre-season involvement

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Ian Taylor has claimed that he is ‘not sure’ about Frédéric Guilbert’s future at Aston Villa after his return to pre-season this summer.

The former midfielder told Villa TV that the 27-year-old ‘has a chance’ after he was involved in his side’s 1-0 pre-season win over Leeds United on Sunday in Australia.

Matty Cash is Villa’s main right-back, and given that he won the Supporters Player of the Year last season, he’s not going to be dethroned anytime soon.

But, in the second half of Villa’s win over Leeds, Steven Gerrard did get a taste of what Guilbert might bring to the table if he decides to keep him on board after two loan spells in France.

Taylor pointed out how the player in question has a ‘tough job’ getting ahead of Cash next season and also noted the rise of youngster, Kaine Kesler Hayden.

“He has an opportunity now coming back to the club to stake a claim,” said Taylor. “He’s got a tough job to get ahead of Matty Cash, but there is Kesler there as well.

“You’re not sure about Guilbert’s future at the club, but he’s playing in these friendlies, then you always have a chance.”

GERRARD SHOULD KEEP GUILBERT

Villa need a back-up right-back ahead of the new Premier League season and Guilbert has the chance to knock that door down.

Nobody is pushing ahead of Cash because he is probably Villa’s best player right now, but Gerrard can’t go into next season without valuable cover.

The Midlands side either hand that chance to Guilbert again, to a youngster such as Kesler or they dip into the transfer market.

The most logical move would be to have Guilbert battle with Cash and send Kesler out on-loan again after his fruitful spells at MK Dons and Swindon Town last term.

At the end of the day, Guilbert only played around 6-8 months in Villa colours, before Dean Smith didn’t like what he saw and continued to loan him out.

Back then, those in Claret & Blue were still pretty inexperienced and everyone was trying to find their feet, but in this more established and stronger Villa side, Guilbert is more than good enough to be part of the squad.