Leon Bailey and £140k-a-week star – Three Aston Villa players with a point to prove
Leon Bailey is one of several Aston Villa players who have a point to prove going into the 2025/26 campaign.
After securing the signing of Evann Guessand from French side Nice, Unai Emery isn’t expected to sign many more players.
The Villans have struggled so far due to the Profit and Sustainability rules, which has meant they have prioritised keeping players this summer rather than signing new ones.
Given that they have been unable to add more depth to their squad, it could be an opportunity for fringe players to show what they are capable of at Villa Park.
Villa News has picked out three players with a point to prove.
Emery can utilise Bailey next season
Bailey had a troubled 2024/25 campaign, as he contributed towards just three goals in 24 Premier League games for Villa.
The Jamaican had to contend with many injuries but was ultimately outperformed by the likes of Morgan Rogers ahead of him.
With that being said, Bailey has shown in the 2023/24 season that he can be a force to be reckoned with when given regular gametime.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 2024/25 | 38 | 2 | 4 | 2072 |
| 2023/24 | 52 | 14 | 14 | 3197 |
After failed moves for forwards such as Jesus Rodriguez this summer, there is still uncertainty over who will play at right wing, and Bailey has an opportunity to earn his place in the team.
Boubacar Kamara must stay injury-free this season
Since signing from Marseille in 2022, Kamara has struggled to stay fit at Villa Park.
The midfielder has recently signed a new contract, keeping him with the Villans for another five years, but he must repay Emery for the faith he has put in him.
- Kamara has missed 334 days through injury since signing for Villa
- He has missed 51 games for the Villans
- In comparison, the Frenchman has played just 97 games for Aston Villa
Kamara is now the highest-paid player at Aston Villa, and supporters will worry that they are wasting money should he pick up another long-term injury.
The Frenchman has, however, shown that when he is fit, he can be a rock in midfield and control important games.
Next season, he has a point to prove in remaining fit for the full season and helping Emery out during a campaign where they don’t have as much depth in midfield.
Donyell Malen must start showing his worth
Since joining Villa from Dortmund in January, Malen has yet to show his worth in a claret and blue shirt.
| Player | Weekly wage |
| Boubacar Kamara | £150,000 |
| Youri Tielemans | £150,000 |
| Emiliano Martinez | £150,000 |
| Donyell Malen | £140,000 |
| Amadou Onana | £140,000 |
The winger is on £140,000 a week and has been linked with an immediate exit this summer.
However, Malen has had a fruitful preseason with the Villans, which has prompted supporters to believe that he will finally settle in.
After becoming a Villa player earlier this year, the Dutchman must quickly get up to speed and show that he is capable of performing in such a key position for Emery’s side.
Sign up for the Villa News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Aston Villa news sent straight to your phone.