Idrissa Gueye has revealed that he viewed Aston Villa as a stepping stone to a bigger club when he joined in 2015. The Senegal international was sold to Everton a year later and subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain, who meet Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
Gueye's Arrival at Villa Park
Gueye was one of several summer signings as Villa sought a new direction after losing Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph. Arriving from Lille, he was one of four players signed from Ligue 1, with the club blending young foreign talents with experienced stars like Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards.
The strategy failed, as Villa finished bottom of the Premier League with just 17 points, enduring managerial changes throughout the season. Gueye made 35 league appearances that campaign and also played for the club in the Championship.
Admission of Intent
Despite the struggles, Gueye's performances earned him a £7.1m move to Everton in 2016. He had been clear about his ambitions from the start. In July 2015, he told L'Equipe: "I wanted a change of scenery. The most important thing was to come to England to improve and aim for a big club later."
He added: "It's a league which suits me down to the ground. The box-to-box style is very much mine. I think I'll enjoy it." Villa had to fend off interest from Southampton and Marseille for his signature. Gueye noted: "My choice was always oriented towards England. I never hid that when I spoke to them."
Path to PSG and Super Cup Clash
Manager Tim Sherwood helped convince Gueye to join Villa, but Remi Garde replaced him in November 2015, and Eric Black took interim charge in March. After three seasons at Everton, Gueye's form attracted PSG, who paid £30m for him. He won two Ligue 1 titles in three years and was an unused substitute in the 2020 Champions League final.
PSG have since won the Champions League twice in a row, with Luis Enrique's side retaining the trophy in May. Villa's Europa League triumph sets up the Super Cup meeting, where new PSG signing Lucas Digne could face Unai Emery's team.
Gueye left PSG to rejoin Everton in 2022 and stayed until last season. The 36-year-old has now signed for Saudi Pro League side Diriyah.
