Leon Bailey ‘future in doubt at Aston Villa’ after triple transfer development
Aston Villa put to bed any worries about squad depth after bringing in five new faces during the winter transfer window.
Unai Emery’s side are in strong form and have the Champions League and FA Cup to fight for still, as well as a top-five finish in the Premier League.
In the 3-0 win against Southampton on Saturday (12 April), winter addition Donyell Malen was on the scoresheet for the second goal of the afternoon.
As the summer transfer window edges closer, the new Villans are giving the boss plenty to think about in terms of his squad for next term.
Leon Bailey could be at risk
Although it has been Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio stealing the headlines at Villa Park recently, Malen made his ninth Premier League appearance against Southampton, scoring his third goal.
The winger has seen his game time more limited, not least because of his omission from the Champions League squad due to Villa having a limit on how many players they could register.
As a result, the 26-year-old seems to have gone under the radar in claret and blue, especially compared to his new teammates.
Nevertheless, as a permanent signing in the West Midlands, Malen is expected to be favoured by Emery as time progresses, and Henry Winter has predicted that this could have consequences.
Leon Bailey has just three Premier League goal involvements this season and has also seen game time limited at stages due to injury.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Malen | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Bailey | 23 | 1 | 2 |
The 27-year-old is out of contract in 2027 meaning if Villa did want to cash in, this summer could be the time to do.
Writing in his blog on 14 April, Winter said: “Donyell Malen is the third of Aston Villa’s three January musketeers who really deserves more credit.
“Loan raiders Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford have generated more headlines, but Malen is proving a particularly smart signing. He cost only £19.4m from Borussia Dortmund, a good deal for a 26-year-old established international.
“Malen offers pace, touch and a good finish. It helps coming on in second halves against tiring defences, but he’s certainly delivering. Malen’s scored in three successive games, two of them from the bench. His arrival allows Morgan Rogers to move centrally, where he is more effective.
“Malen’s domestic impact, and his goal threat and greater consistency, may place a doubt over the future of Leon Bailey (two goals in 36).”
Emery has to be brutal in summer
There is still plenty to play for at Villa and with Emery’s side in good form, it seems as though they could be on track to bring a trophy home and secure another season of European football.
If the Villans do achieve their aims though, they will need to ensure they don’t face the same struggles as they did this season and have the squad to cope with the increased amount of games from the offset.
Bailey has been a good player for Villa since he first joined, but Malen has certainly shown the signs that he could be prepared to take that position in the starting line-up.
With plenty of games still to go, Emery may well use this as an opportunity to pass judgment on the players in his squad and decide who will have what role to play next term.
As Winter says, Malen probably hasn’t got the plaudits he’s deserving of so far with others stealing the limelight, but as long as Emery is aware of his talent, it won’t be a big blow.