Aston Villa can solve Unai Emery issue amid unfortunate Leon Bailey update
Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey is struggling out on loan at Roma, and there could be a decision to make in January.
Monchi was slammed for his handling of Villa’s transfer business this summer, and even though the former president of football operations is no longer at B6, he could still be haunting the Villans.
Bailey joined Serie A side Roma on a season-long loan back in the summer, after Unai Emery decided the forward was going to struggle for game time.
The Jamaican has found minutes hard to come by in Italy this campaign, and it’s another summer move that has so far disappointed.
Following the latest update from a Roma perspective, reports have detailed just how bad Bailey‘s loan is panning out.
Leon Bailey and Roma’s frustration outlined after injury update
Bailey was once on fire for Emery in the Premier League, but after only managing to score twice in all competitions last season, it was deemed that a loan move was best for all parties.
The Jamaican is tied down to an Aston Villa contract until June of 2027, which means the 28-year-old will be in the final year of his deal when he returns to B6.
| Matches (starts) | Minutes | Goal contributiions |
| 7 (1) | 182 | 0 |
Bailey played in Roma’s most recent game against Juventus, when he came off the bench for 20 minutes before leaving the field with an injury.
In an article published by Il Romanista on Wednesday, the frustration of Roma supporters and Bailey’s head coach Gian Piero Gasperini were revealed, suggesting the winger hasn’t impressed when playing.
The article read: “Yesterday the number 31 (Bailey) worked individually, in the gym, thus removing assorted hypotheses about another long stop, which would have been yet another in a season that started badly.
“Another hamstring injury in November, a few sparse appearances without leaving indelible traces and then the [Injury] in Turin after a series of listless displays that made Gasperini and several Roma fans jealous.”
Bailey had his injury struggles at Villa Park, too, but with the winger surviving a serious injury scare, Emery and Co. may need to have a chat about bringing him back.
Aston Villa have an easy Bailey choice amid Harvey Elliott saga
Harvey Elliott’s loan move to Villa has turned out to be a complete failure, and there have been suggestions that the Englishman may return to Liverpool in January.
Some would argue that Elliott was brought in to be an upgrade on Bailey, but the Liverpool loanee has been anything but that.
Villa will almost certainly avoid triggering the attacker’s buy option, which makes a return home for Bailey seem sensible.
Emery needs that extra attacking option from the bench, given his stubborn stance on Elliott, and Bailey could be the safe option to fill the gap.
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