Unai Emery has to drop Leon Bailey for Aston Villa v Bayern Munich after what he did at Ipswich
Unai Emery cannot risk starting Leon Bailey for Aston Villa against Bayern Munich after he “kept getting caught out” against Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Danny Murphy pointed out on Match of the Day 2 (29 September) that Bailey’s unwillingness to do his work in defence left Ezri Konsa exposed at right-back time and time again.
Both of Liam Delap’s goals in the 2-2 draw at Portman Road came down Villa’s right-hand side, with Konsa and centre-back Diego Carlos being run ragged by winger Jack Clarke.
Murphy said: “They kept getting caught out on that left-hand side and Leon Bailey’s isn’t helping really, he’s got to track back better if Konsa’s not going to go out.
“There you go – Konsa’s too deep and Bailey hasn’t done his work.
“Second half, more of the same – Konsa in narrow, there’s Bailey not talking, not communicating with each other, Clarke runs off the back of both of them.
“I was surprised, because Unai Emery’s very good tactically and he didn’t spot that.”
Unai Emery has to address Leon Bailey problem for Aston Villa
Given the freedom at which a bright but still winless Ipswich side were able to exploit Villa’s right-hand side, there will be worries aplenty at what a red-hot Bayern Munich juggernaut could do to them.
Bailey’s attacking numbers at Portman Road were once more a high-point for the Villans, registering 0.45 expected goals and assists and crossing for Ollie Watkins to head the visitors 2-1 in front [FotMob].
The Jamaica international also completed 83 per cent of his attempted passes and threaded two into the final third, but at the other end, he and Villa were all at sea defensively.
Bailey may have only been dispossessed on one occasion, but he also failed to attempt a single tackle and lost five of his six duels on the ball, a success rate of just 17 per cent [FotMob].
Four recoveries in defence were a high point for Bailey, who also made a solitary clearance, but his conceding of three free-kicks showed how often he was caught out at the back.
A worrying performance in defence, particularly with Konsa playing out of position at right-back, must see Emery make a change against Bayern, who, unlike Ipswich, will surely punish Villa for any Bailey error.
In other Aston Villa news, a transfer mission is underway at Villa Park to sign a ‘dazzling’ starlet plying his trade in League One.
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