Published Aug 1, 2026, 6:25 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years.

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to clinch his first job in journalism at Snack Media, now Valnet.

Emilio has written for a host of the company's biggest past and current football news websites - Vital Football, The Transfer Tavern and Football FanCast. 

Emilio's strengths include the intricacies of football transfers, while he particularly enjoys writing about the business side of football. He has covered Tottenham Hotspur on a weekly basis for a number of years now, developing a deep understanding of the culture and what Lilywhites fans engage with.

In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

Unai Emery’s side enter the new campaign as Europa League winners and Champions League qualifiers, but several attacking pieces have changed.

REUTERS/Caean Couto

Morgan Rogers completed a £117 million move to Chelsea, while Villa responded by bringing Alejandro Garnacho on loan with a conditional obligation to buy.

Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes have also arrived, while Youri Tielemans has joined Man United and Leon Bailey is expected to depart.

Those changes might have created an opening for Guessand, but his first season in England has left Villa prepared to consider another solution.

The Ivory Coast international arrived from Nice in August 2025 in a package reportedly worth around £32 million. Before that, he had just completed the strongest campaign of his career, scoring 12 Ligue 1 goals, helping Nice finish fourth and being named the club’s player of the season.

Guessand’s pace, strength and versatility appeared well suited to Emery’s squad. He can lead the attack, operate from either wing or play behind a striker, giving Villa many different ways to use him.

However, he struggled to establish himself during the first half of last season.

Guessand made 13 Premier League appearances for Villa without scoring, with both of his goals for the club arriving in the Europa League, but he was allowed to join Crystal Palace on loan in January.

Guessand marked his Palace debut with an assist against Brighton and later scored a stoppage-time Premier League winner against Wolves.

He also found the net during Palace’s victorious Conference League campaign, but the Eagles nevertheless decided against activating their reported £28 million purchase option.

That returned Guessand to Villa, where Garnacho’s arrival has increased competition in the wide positions and raised questions about his place.

A possible route to Italy has now emerged.

SiamoLaRoma, crediting TeleRadioStereo as the original source, reports that Roma sporting director Tony D’Amico has enquired about Guessand.

The report claims the 25-year-old is out of Emery’s plans following his return from the World Cup and is set to leave this summer, although Roma have not yet advanced beyond an initial enquiry.

Gian Piero Gasperini wants another versatile attacker and Guessand’s ability to cover every position across the frontline is said to appeal to the Roma head coach.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

However, he is not currently described as their leading target.

Roma continue to pursue RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, while Abde Ezzalzouli has also been considered during their search for attacking reinforcements.

That leaves Guessand as an alternative rather than the subject of advanced talks.

For Villa, a permanent sale near their original fee would provide funds and remove a player without a clear role in Emery’s rebuilt attack.

Roma, meanwhile, could offer Guessand a fresh start under a manager renowned for improving powerful, tactically flexible forwards.