Ty Bracey: Leon Bailey needs to play as a winger for Aston Villa to see the best of him
We’re delighted to welcome Villa View host Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has struggled for consistency at the club because he is often playing in formations that don’t suit him, according to Ty Bracey.
The Jamaican international scored Villa’s equaliser in the impressive draw with Manchester City on 3 September when he fired one into the top corner as part of an all-round improved performance from the team, but was below his best as that game was followed up with a much-needed 1-0 win over Southampton on Friday (16 September).
According to Transfermarkt the 25-year-old was operating in his preferred wide position against the reigning champions but was put in a more central role for the Saints win, and Bracey feels that while Bailey needs to improve his consistency he hasn’t been helped by injuries and frequent tactical changes.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News he said: “He’s had bad luck, a bad run of injuries since we signed him. He hasn’t really had much time to shine but he scored a very important goal [against City], which wasn’t easy to score, he’s put it absolute top bins in a tough situation.
“I’m over the moon that he’s done that, and he’s hungry to prove a point. And I think we also as fans want him to succeed.
“But we’ve got see that on the pitch. We’ve got to see 100% and we’ve got to see those chances created, and those balls getting into the box from the wing.
“So I’m more than happy to see him in the XI as long as he can get some consistency in form.
“We don’t always play wingers, we don’t stick to one shape. We have been changing it up.
“I think he definitely needs to start on the wing. Craig Butler [Bailey’s father] had openly said he’s happy to play out of position because he’s a professional but if we want to get the best out of him we’ve got to play him in the right system.”
Bailey has already played more than half his total of minutes in the league from last season in the early weeks of this campaign, so his increased involvement is a positive development.
But costing around £30million upon arrival from Bayer Leverkusen [The Athletic] the Villans have not got value for money yet, with just three goals and three assists in all competitions.
The circumstances since his move have largely not been conducive to settling in and find top form, but amid a difficult start to this season for the club generally there have been some positive signs that he is finding his feet.
But inconsistency remains an issue currently, so with a small run of positive results building the hope must be that a more settled side can help Bailey follow suit.
In other Aston Villa news, Douglas Luiz is likely to leave next summer whether he signs a new deal or not.