Aston Villa handed Leon Bailey boost as injury update emerges ahead of Young Boys clash
Unai Emery will be keen for Aston Villa to begin their Champions League campaign with a victory over Young Boys on Tuesday (17 September).
The Villans have never played in the Champions League’s newest format, last playing in the European Cup during the 1982/83 campaign after lifting the trophy the season before.
Emery’s side are, undoubtedly, the favourites ahead of their clash against Swiss Super League outfit Young Boys, who have experienced an awful start to the 2024/25 campaign.
They currently sit bottom of their respective league after three draws and three losses from their opening six games. The side cannot be underestimated, however, having won the league title last season.
Luckily, Emery looks to have one of his most dangerous attackers back in contention to start, with Leon Bailey returning from injury and travelling with the squad to Switzerland [Ben Dinnery].
The Jamaican has been passed “100 per cent fit” ahead of the clash and his manager will be absolutely buzzing to see him ready for their exciting Champions League adventure.
Leon Bailey travels with Aston Villa squad ahead of Champions League clash
Bailey was an incredible figure in the Villa team last season, notching 10 goals and nine assists in 35 appearances as Emery led the team to Champions League qualification.
With the forward only starting 22 of those matches, it is clear the 27-year-old struggles to stay fit regularly but he can still be vital for the Villans.
His best performance of the 2023/24 campaign came in a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, having grabbed a goal, an assist, and a 9 out of 10 match rating, as per FotMob.
He maintained a 100 per cent shot accuracy, bulging the back of the net with his only effort, completed 86 per cent of his passes, and created six chances, one of which was finished off by Morgan Rogers.
Compared to wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, Bailey ranks in the top 89 percentile for non-penalty goals, the top 85 percentile for assists, and the top 80 percentile for successful take-ons [FBref].
If Emery wants to bring all three points back from their trip to Switzerland, he will need to hope that this version of Bailey turns up at the Wankdorf Stadion in Bern on Tuesday.
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