Aston Villa agreed a deal with Caen for Frédéric Guilbert in January 2019 and the defender arrived at Villa Park last summer.
Dean Smith has given the right-back more opportunities in the first team this term and the 25-year-old has 25 appearances in all competitions. He has two goals and two assists to his name.
Speaking to France Football, the fullback admitted he wasn’t expecting to feature regularly in his debut season with the Premier League club.
“I did not expect to play as many matches. I knew I was going through a very, very big move. Now I have seized my chance. I hope to continue to keep this rhythm, and to improve myself further,” he said.
A move to Aston Villa meant Guilbert had to leave France for the first time in his professional career. He had Jonathan Kodjia as the only other French speaking player at the English club, but Kodjia left Villa for Qatari side Al-Gharafa in January.
Guilbert also gave an insight on the language barrier, which makes life in Birmingham complicated for him.
“There are no French speakers. I had Jonathan Kodjia, who went to the Emirates. I find myself a little lonely. But I’m easy going so it’s fine,” Guilbert explained.
“Where it’s complicated is to make friends. Since we don’t speak the language very well, the English often stay between themselves. It’s human nature to be like that.”
When further quizzed if it’s more ‘difficult in terms of social life’, the Villa player said: “Yes, this is where it is most complicated. We are only among ourselves, as a family.
“It’s hard here [regarding his English]. The accent in Birmingham is very pronounced, it is not obvious. But it’s OK. I am not bilingual. I speak Franglish there, you see.”
