RC Strasbourg have benefited from Dean Smith’s decision to not hand Frédéric Guilbert opportunities at Aston Villa this season.
The right-back was restricted to two EFL Cup appearances and did not feature in the Premier League for Villa.
In search of regular playing time, the 26-year-old moved to France after Strasbourg took him on a loan deal in January.
Since arriving at the club, the former Caen man has impressed for the Ligue 1 side, scoring once, the winner in his side’s 1-0 victory over AS Monaco on Wednesday, and registered two assists in four matches.
The Villa owned player has adapted quickly at Strasbourg and this has pleased his manager, Thierry Laurey.
“He arrived with the right mentality. He is very appreciated in the dressing room and does everything in the right direction,” L’Equipe quoted Laurey as saying.
Guilbert has been directly involved in three of Strasbourg’s last four goals scored in the league.
Laurey is of the belief the Aston Villa defender will have more prospects in the summer, if the Frenchman extends his good run until the end of the season.
“He has a profile a bit similar to Kenny Lala [transferred to Olympiacos]. He has great self-confidence. If he manages to maintain this level until the end, he will have other prospects for the future…” Laurey explained.
Guilbert will have to return to Villa Park in the summer, where he still has two more years left on his contract.
