Aston Villa have been credited with interest in Yoann Barbet even since Dean Smith turned up at Villa Park.

The Express and Star reported that the player was a target as far back as December, but with his contract set to expire in the summer, there was no move in January.

Now, the 25-year-old has opened the door further by revealing in the latest club programme that he doesn't know where he'll be playing next season.

As reported by Football London, he's refused to confirm he'll stay at Griffin Park, claiming he could be abroad, still in the Championship or he could remain where he is. With the clock ticking on his current deal, one of those options seems unlikely.

It must be tough for the Frenchman because it does seem as though he's going to be leaving. After all, if he was staying put he would already have moved to put pen to paper on a new deal.

That's why he has to be diplomatic in the programme. When asked he can't confirm he's staying and then leave, it would sully his reputation, especially if he wound up at Villa. He can't say he's leaving as it would derail their faint promotion hopes this season.

Instead, he gives an ambiguous answer, but it reveals his intentions. He's going to leave Brentford and surely, fans with an ounce of understanding of the game can see that.

The question is, where does he go? He's had a good spell at Brentford and will not want a hostile reception when he returns there with another club, so it might be he's pondering a switch back to the continent.

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He joined the Bees from Ligue 2 Chamois Niortais, so a chance to prove himself in the top flight of his homeland might be tempting. He was a Bordeaux player as a youngster and perhaps covets a switch back to his former employer.

Then again, as a stalwart of the Dean Smith era at Brentford, maybe a Villa move is on the cards. Few clubs in the French top flight compare with Aston Villa when they're in the ascendency and if Smith can prompt that next season, Barbet might be facing a title challenge and Premier League football.

It's a huge decision to make, but as Brentford look increasingly likely to be a staple of the Championship for a couple more years, Yoann Barbet has a big decision to make.