Evann Guessand (on loan at Crystal Palace)

[Ozzjim]

He thinks he has got “speed”

He is the slowest footballer I have ever seen. Barry, Dendonker and Kinsella would out sprint the guy. Worked hard, clearly a decent guy, but he is a 9 and a target man in the prem if he is anything. He is the most uncomfortable right winger I have witnessed at VP. Didier Agathe was more effective.

[Sexual Ealing]

He thinks he has got “speed”

He is the slowest footballer I have ever seen. Barry, Dendonker and Kinsella would out sprint the guy. Worked hard, clearly a decent guy, but he is a 9 and a target man in the prem if he is anything. He is the most uncomfortable right winger I have witnessed at VP. Didier Agathe was more effective.

I dunno, Ads can often be found moaning about the crushes in the concourse.

[Brend'Watkins]

Ha ha ha ha ha!

[Somniloquism]

Best I can think of in the last 20 odd years is Nobby Solano. For a bit.

James Milner to some extent too. But he was far more effective for us centrally.

Albrighton? In his debut season definitely.

[cdbearsfan]

Diaby was mostly good, but Villa fans are suspicious of skilful players. Ashley Young was more loved as a so-so full back than in his first spell as one of the most exciting wingers in the world.

[Monty]

Diaby was mostly good, but Villa fans are suspicious of skilful players. Ashley Young was more loved as a so-so full back than in his first spell as one of the most exciting wingers in the world.

While this is broadly true, I  seem to remember Diaby as where attacks went to die all too often.

[Chris Smith]

Diaby was mostly good, but Villa fans are suspicious of skilful players. Ashley Young was more loved as a so-so full back than in his first spell as one of the most exciting wingers in the world.

Diaby was mostly inconsistent for us and I don’t think that’s true about Ashley Young, he was a popular player in both spells.

[cdbearsfan]

Nah, Nigel Reo-Coker received ten times the adulation he did. Villa supporters would choose Tony Hart over Leonardo.

[KevinGage]

As for Evann, as much as he's looked like a bit of a donkey (and he has), he does seem to have a bit of a fan club in the game.

Will we ever find out why?

Playing devil's advocate:

It's fairly obvious he doesn't fit at Villa (how/where we've been playing him, anyway), but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't fit at a different club and playing in a different role.

eg. Perhaps it would work if he was up front and asked to run onto through balls, with no other expectation than to take a first time shot at goal.

Has he looked like a different player when in the box trying to get on the end of things?

He looks as awkward there as he does in every other part of the pitch.

[KevinGage]

Best I can think of in the last 20 odd years is Nobby Solano. For a bit.

James Milner to some extent too. But he was far more effective for us centrally.

Albrighton? In his debut season definitely.

Fair.

[Brend'Watkins]

Diaby was mostly good, but Villa fans are suspicious of skilful players. Ashley Young was more loved as a so-so full back than in his first spell as one of the most exciting wingers in the world.

Diaby was mostly inconsistent for us and I don’t think that’s true about Ashley Young, he was a popular player in both spells.

Agree with that Chris. Ashley Young was great for us in both stints. I was underwhelmed by Diaby’s contribution. I expected much much more from him and was just glad we got the fee what we got for him.

[eye digress]

Diaby shared Guessand's lack of conviction on the ball in the final third, but had more to his game and made a strong contribution, I felt.

[Flamingo Lane]

As for Evann, as much as he's looked like a bit of a donkey (and he has), he does seem to have a bit of a fan club in the game.

Will we ever find out why?

Playing devil's advocate:

It's fairly obvious he doesn't fit at Villa (how/where we've been playing him, anyway), but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't fit at a different club and playing in a different role.

eg. Perhaps it would work if he was up front and asked to run onto through balls, with no other expectation than to take a first time shot at goal.

Has he looked like a different player when in the box trying to get on the end of things?

He looks as awkward there as he does in every other part of the pitch.

Absolutely this. I may have seen some poor players turning out for us over the years, but I can't recall one who has been so lacking conviction in every single aspect of his game.

[eamonn]

We all thought the sun shone out of Ashley's orifices in his first spell. Second time round he was a jobbing and ageing full-back.

[Villan82]

I thought there was conviction in Diaby those few times he absolutely blasted the ball, accurately, into the net. I never understood the criticism he got. I have to check, but that season he was here must rank as one of our highest scoring of the modern era so not sure how you remember  attacks breaking down with him?