Going head-to-head with Chelsea in the transfer market, Aston Villa have now reportedly set their sights on signing one of the “most promising” defenders that Ligue 1 has to offer.

Emery not "surprised" by Go Ahead Eagles defeat

Whilst the rest of the Premier League may have watched on in shock as Go Ahead Eagles defeated Aston Villa in the Europa League on Thursday, Unai Emery admitted that the 2-1 loss did not “surprise” him.

The Spaniard initially saw his side race into the lead courtesy of one of their most expensive signings, Evann Guessand, before goals from Mathis Suray and Mats Deijl turned the game on its head in dramatic fashion. Emiliano Buendia did have the chance to level things up from the spot, but only compiled Villa’s misery by missing his penalty.

Having his say on the result, Emery said: “It was not a surprise to lose for me and the players because we are having here our experiences playing in Europe and playing away. Every year we had one defeat like that. Two years ago, Legia Warsaw, last year, Brugge, and this year, yesterday.

“Of course, still matches to play, and I want to learn. For me, yesterday, everything happened, for us, is learning. Learning, and as well reminding ourselves the experiences we had in some similar circumstances.

“Why? Because of course we were favourites and of course we dominated and of course we had more chances, but even like that, you can lose. In Europa League we are being consistent, even yesterday, losing, we are being consistent.”

Performing well on the European stage will be the key for Aston Villa if they want to avoid further PSR problems and then attract some of the most promising talents around. Advancing in the Europa League would, for example, do them no harm in the race to beat Chelsea to an impressive Ligue 1 defender.

Aston Villa set sights on Guela Doue

According to Pete O’Rourke, Aston Villa are now eyeing a move to sign Guela Doue from Strasbourg, but face competition from Chelsea, who are looking to put Todd Boehly’s links to good use once again, with Strasbourg under BlueCo ownership.

“I’m sure it’s more than just Aston Villa that he’s caught the eye of.

“Doue’s had a very good time at Strasbourg. Impressed again last weekend [17 October] against the European champions PSG in that game as well and has established himself as one of the most promising young full-backs in Ligue 1 right now.”

If there were any doubts about Doue’s potential, then they should have been put to bed against PSG last weekend. The right-back got an assist as Strasbourg shocked the European champions by racing into a 3-1 lead before eventually drawing 3-3 at the Parc des Princes.

At just 23 years old, there’s still plenty to come from Doue and that plenty could come at Villa Park in the near future.