(Credit: Imago and Hasan Karim)
(Credit: Imago and Hasan Karim)
Match

'Unai Emery mistake will cost Aston Villa millions' amid Leon Bailey exit update

Jack Dawson
Jack Dawson

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Unai Emery’s arrival at Aston Villa has been one of the biggest revelations in the Birmingham outfit’s history. 

In just a few years, Villa went from a side fighting relegation in the Premier League to regularly competing in Europe.

The Spaniard has no doubt been the catalyst for the success, with Emery proving he is one of the best managers in the division.

However, his time at Villa Park has not come without flaws, with the current situation regarding Leon Bailey a cause for concern. 

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Unai Emery has overseen Villa's return to Europe (Credit: Imago)

Little concrete interest in Leon Bailey so far this transfer window 

Bailey’s Aston Villa future is currently uncertain.

The Jamaican international struggled for form last season, and only picked up six goal contributions. 

As a result, an exit has been touted, especially with Villa exploring a deal to re-sign Maroc Asensio. 

However, according to The Telegraph on 12 August, there is little concrete interest in Bailey going into the final weeks of the window. 

This could prove to be a big problem for Villa, with the winger contracted until at least 2027.

  • Bailey only provided six goal contributions last season
  • This was a massive fall off from his 28 goal contributions in the 2023/24 campaign
  • Despite his uncertain future, there is little concerte interest in Bailey as it stands

Bailey’s departure could save Villa over £12million in wages, and that is not including potential bonuses and clauses.

This is due to Emery offering the 28-year-old a new deal in February 2024 on the back of his good form.

However, this is now clearly a massive error in judgement from Emery as Villa now appear to be stuck paying significant wages on an out-of-form player. 

This could prove to be particularly costly next summer if the Birmingham outfit once again suffer with PSR issues.

Leon Bailey Aston Villa
Leon Bailey struggled to find form last season (Credit: Imago)

Where does Bailey rank among Villa’s highest earners?

While Bailey is currently earning £120,000-a-week at Aston Villa, he isn’t one of the highest earners at the Birmingham club. 

According to Capology on 12 August, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Emi Martinez are Villa’s joint-highest earners on £150,000-a-week, not including new signings.

Aston Villa attackersWages per week
Donyell Malen£140,000
Ollie Watkins£130,000
Leon Bailey£120,000
Emiliano Buendia£75,000
Morgan Rogers£75,000
Jacob Ramsey£70,000
Bailey is one of Aston Villa's best-paid attackers

Bailey ranks at joint-eighth, with John McGinn and Lucas Digne also earning the same as the winger.

While he may not be earning as much as some of his teammates, it is still an extortionate amount to be paying someone who may not have a positive impact on the pitch this season. 

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Leon Bailey
Unai Emery
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