Jacob Ramsey faces ‘difficult’ challenge at Aston Villa as new Leon Bailey update emerges
Aston Villa winger Jacob Ramsey will find it “difficult” to consistently force his way into Unai Emery’s side after it was announced that Leon Bailey had signed a new contract with the Villans.
Villa confirmed on Monday (12 February) via X that the Jamaica international had signed a new deal to extend his stay at Villa Park following an excellent start to the Premier League season under Emery’s management.
Reports from Fabrizio Romano (5 February) suggested that the 26-year-old will also receive a salary increase on top of his longer contract to reflect his role in the squad, having become one of Villa’s most important players throughout the campaign.
While Hutton is delighted to see Bailey extend his time in a Villa shirt, he has admitted that it could make life harder for Ramsey and the other young prospects in Emery’s side as the “benchmark” required to play regularly has been raised this season.
“If he’s playing or in the squad, it makes it more difficult for other players,” Hutton told Villa News.
“That being said, he’s deserved what he’s got and he’s earned it so he has got the right to be there and this is the benchmark. If you want to get in the team or play in that position, you have to be better than him.
“The levels are only going to go up and up. The more that this team improves and progresses, it’s going to be harder, it’s going to be more difficult because the standard is only going to go up.
“Players that will come in will go obviously, which makes it more difficult so you have to reach that level if you want to stay in that team.”
Leon Bailey contract update puts pressure on Jacob Ramsey at Aston Villa
Every Villa fan will be delighted to learn that Bailey has extended his stay with Emery’s side as the winger has proven to be a crucial part of the Spaniard’s plans at Villa Park. Despite starting only 11 games this season, the 26-year-old has managed 13 goal contributions in the Premier League.
However, his excellent form, partnered with his new deal has made it even harder for Emery to leave him out of his starting XI. While Ramsey himself is a young talent, he is now going to have to up his game to feature week in and week out at Villa Park.
There was plenty of speculation around the 22-year-old’s future in the January window, but now that is behind him, Ramsey should be able to kick on and really get his season up and running after a difficult start to the campaign.
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has suggested that Leander Dendoncker is finished at Villa Park and won’t play for Emery again
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