Ian Wright sums up Leon Bailey performance in Aston Villa win v Nottingham Forest with one word
Ian Wright singled out Leon Bailey for praise after Aston Villa saw off Nottingham Forest 4-2 to return to winning ways on home soil.
After three successive defeats at Villa Park in all competitions to begin 2024, the Villans put on a show to see off a struggling Forest side.
Leon Bailey assisted Ollie Watkins’ early opener and then rounded off the scoring just after the hour mark after a brief scare from the visitors.
Aston Villa earn victory over Nottingham Forest
The winger only had 43 touches – seven Villa players had more [Sofascore] – yet he registered a goal, an assist and was an all-around menace.
He also registered a 100-per-cent cross-success rate and was successful from two of his four dribbles – nobody registered more in either category.
It was a performance that earned praise from Arsenal great Wright on his Wrighty’s House podcast [25 February, 46m 9s].
Summing up Bailey’s display in a single word, Wright simply said “sick”, echoing the view of presenter Ryan Hunn.
Bailey has been superb for Villa this term and now ranks among the absolute best across Europe’s top five leagues in various metrics.
Leon Bailey among Europe’s top attacking midfielders
As per FBref, he is in the top one per cent of midfielders in terms of non-penalty goals per 90 mins (0.41) over the past year.
The 26-year-old is also in the top one per cent for assists per 90 (0.46) and for progressive carries per 90 (4.90).
Bailey is helped by the fact that he plays in a far more advanced position than many other midfielders, but he is still among the very best around.
Even away from the attacking side of things, the former Bayer Leverkusen ace registered a couple of clearances against Forest [WhoScored].
His passing accuracy was easily the lowest of any Villa player (65.5 per cent), but that is due to him being tasked with making something happen.
Bailey has been tasked with maintaining his consistency, and the performance against Forest was very much a return to his very best.
In other Aston Villa news, a talkSPORT host is frightened by how good a first-team regular is.
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