Crystal Palace star can become first player to win two European Trophies in one season

Evann Guessand could make a unique piece of history this month.

The Ivory Coast international can become the first player to win two different European trophies within the same season.

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Guessand moved from Aston Villa to Crystal Palace in January, with the deal reportedly including an option to make it permanent.

He has played a key role in Palace’s run to the Conference League final having made five appearances and scored one goal.

However, he hasn’t featured since April 9 because of a knee injury.

Guessand was also influential for Villa earlier in the season by playing seven of their league phase matches in the Europa League.

The 24-year-old netted two goals for his parent club, and is on course for European royalty.

How can Guessand win two European trophies?

Villa and Palace will play in the finals of this season’s Europa League and Conference League respectively.

The Europa League showpiece is first up on May 20, with Villa taking on German side SC Freiburg.

Palace then face Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano for Conference League glory seven days later.

Guessand cannot play for Villa due to him not being at the club, and could be sidelined for Palace amid his injury.

However, should the two clubs win their respective finals, then he will collects winners’ medals with each.

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UEFA issue 50 gold medals to the winning teams of both the Europa League and Conference League.

This is different to the Premier League, where 40 medals are on offer and players must make five appearances to qualify for one.

Given that Guessand has played and scored for both Villa and Palace, he is more than likely to get his hands on a medal with each.

He would therefore become the first ever played to win two different European competitions within a single campaign.

How did Villa book their Europa League final spot?

The Premier League were guaranteed to have at least one club in the final as Villa were drawn with Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals.

Forest won the first leg with a late Chris Wood penalty, but collapsed in the second and went out with a whimper.

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John McGinn netted two goals after Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendia also netted as Villa smashed their opponents 4-0 at home.

Head coach Unai Emery will be on the touchline for his sixth Europa League final.

Emery won three titles with Sevilla and another at Villarreal, and only missed out on the trophy at Arsenal.

How did Palace book their Conference League final spot?

Whilst Palace may still feel aggrieved at being thrown out of the Europa League, they can still win their first ever European trophy.

The south Londoners were comfortable 5-2 winners on aggregate in their semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Ismaila Sarr scored in the opening minute of the first leg and netted again in the second at Selhurst Park.

Their manager Oliver Glasner, who is leaving at the end of the season, already has experience of winning in Europe.

He was victorious in the 2021/22 Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt as they beat Rangers 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

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