Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard insists he has no issues with fullback Frederic Guilbert.

Guilbert continues to train with the club's under-21s after failing to secure a move away in the summer transfer window and, despite Villa being without Matty Cash and Lucas Digne this weekend, Gerrard says his stance hasn't changed and Guilbert remains surplus to requirements despite being named in Villa's official 25-man Premier League squad.

“There is no issue with Fred Guilbert," Gerrard explained. “We gave him the opportunity to move on in the summer. We were honest and open with him and his agent and that's all you can do as a manager is be honest and upfront face to face. That's what I was, that's what the club was.

“He never managed to get a move so it is what it is. Fred knew how it would look for him if he didn't get out and I think he's rolling forward. He's been professional at the moment. He's had a niggle and an injury and hasn't trained the last couple of weeks in terms of group sessions. That's where that one is."