Unai Emery cannot persist with Leon Bailey as Aston Villa ‘problems’ emerge v Manchester United
Leon Bailey must be taken out of the Aston Villa starting XI until he regains 100 per cent fitness, after his lacklustre display against Manchester United.
The Jamaican international was hauled off 63 minutes into Villa’s 0-0 home draw on 6 October, with Emery stating post-match that Bailey is still yet to return to full fitness after a hamstring issue.
With the likes of Emi Buendia, Ian Maatsen and Lamare Bogarde all capable of playing out wide, Emery could be minded to take Bailey out of the starting side until he’s back firing on all cylinders.
In quotes reported by Birmingham World (7 October), Emery said: “Leon Bailey is progressively getting better, but he is not fit completely 100 per cent.
“He is having some problems and injuries, not getting comfortable to play 90 minutes or feeling fit.”
Leon Bailey hinders Aston Villa v Manchester United
Entering his fourth season at Villa Park, Bailey was a pillar of Emery’s Champions League-qualifying side in 2023/24, scoring 15 goals and adding 13 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions.
That consistent goal output hasn’t been present this season though, and against Manchester United Bailey managed a solitary shot with just 0.02xG behind it (FotMob).
Completing 89 per cent of his passes and creating one chance for 0.06 expected assists, Bailey was involved on the periphery of Villa’s forward play during his 63 minutes on the pitch.
Having just two touches in the opposition box and completing one dribble from three attempts (33 per cent), Bailey also failed to find a target with two crosses and lost the ball twice (FotMob).
Making one recovery of possession in defence, Bailey won just 43 per cent of his seven attempted duels and was struggling by the time Jhon Duran replaced him midway through the second half.
Having Bailey fit and firing is vital for a Villa side keen to compete on multiple fronts, and if that means holding him back from the starting XI for the next few games, it could be beneficial in the long term.
In other Aston Villa news, Bryan King expects Jhon Duran to command a healthy wage increase in his new contract at Villa Park.
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