Aston Villa: Leon Bailey ‘problem’ emerges that Unai Emery must resolve at Villa Park
Don Goodman believes Leon Bailey is at the “perfect” club for him in Aston Villa, but insists Unai Emery can still get more out of the winger.
Bailey, who has played 88 times for the Villans since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, signed a new long-term deal at Villa Park last week.
The Jamaican has previously attracted reported interest from other Premier League clubs, but Goodman wants to see more consistency.
“I don’t see how a bigger team would have moved for Leon Bailey until he can show he can do it consistently,” Goodman told Villa News.
“That’s always been the problem for him. We’ve all seen how brilliant he is, the damage he can do on any given day to an opponent.
“But we haven’t seen that consistently. He needs to now show that. There aren’t many bigger clubs than Aston Villa in the Premier League.
“He’s happy at Villa and he’s been well supported in terms of getting back from injuries. He’s loved by the Villa faithful.
“He’s also at the perfect place under the perfect head coach in Unai Emery. Emery will make demands from him to improve that consistency.
“He’s the type of player who needs a strong head coach, which he has in Unai Emery, so this is the best place for him.”
Leon Bailey’s goals and assists record improving
Bailey is enjoying his best season to date in a Villa shirt, having scored seven goals and assisted six more in 23 Premier League appearances.
It is notable, however, that Emery has started the Jamaica international 12 times and used him from the substitutes’ bench 11 times.
Emery has started Bailey in Villa’s past four games in all competitions, but the wide player has gone three games without a goal involvement now.
That lends into what Goodman was saying about Bailey now taking a step to the next level by being heavily involved in every game he plays.
Tying the 26-year-old down for the long term at Villa is great news, and there is no reason why he cannot now push on and further improve.
In other Aston Villa news, Ty Bracey has responded to Emery’s “tough” admission.
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