What’s going on with Leon Bailey at Aston Villa?
Leon Baileyhas never had a good poker face.
Tears have streamed after poor performances and missed chances. Frustration has been expressed off the field, particularly at himself.
Family and friends have always thought positive affirmation has brought the best out of him and Aston Villahave taken a similar approach this season. His toils have characterised Villa’s broader attacking struggles, with Bailey among several players who know they are going through a lean patch.
Villa’s attitude has been to play Bailey through it, partially because of his impact last season (14 goals and 14 assists across 52 appearances) and also because Unai Emery has no one else like the 27-year-old. Villa are short of one-v-one ball carriers in wide areas, especially after selling Moussa Diaby in the summer.
Bailey helps balance the side and, as demonstrated against Liverpoolwhen Emery is without an archetypal right-back, the need for width is pressing. In a patient build-up structure, Bailey offers a change of pace.
The reliance on Bailey has made his downturn far more discernible. Emery gives him scope to take risks in possession, requiring a large degree of confidence and freedom in his decision-making.
Sources close to Bailey, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships as all sources did for this piece, believe his instincts are being curbed. Cracks emerged towards the end of last season when the squad was stretched and Bailey was playing through injury and, at times, illness. This has continued this term, suffering knocks and rarely appearing physically comfortable.
It is felt on the player’s side that a hamstring injury sustained in August has affected his sharpness and, having suffered the same issue 12 months earlier, he is restoring trust in his body.
“Every day I am speaking with him about it (his form),” said Emery in a recent press conference. “He is accepting my challenge to get the best of him like last year. We need him. Leon is a very specific player for us as a winger, threatening in behind.”
At Anfield, the vignette of Bailey scrambling back as the last defender and tugging at Mohamed Salah’s shirt (top photo) was striking. It was the first of three Villa corners to result in a Liverpool chance and the most damaging, with Darwin Nunezscoring.
Bailey would have been sent off had Nunez not scored and being put in such a compromising position served as another message from the footballing gods that he was not earning the rub of the green.
The 2-0 defeat was deeply frustrating. Both of Liverpool’s goals came on the break while Villa, unlike against Club Bruges, serviced the attacking players yet appeared disconnected in the final third.
“They are fighting against one of the best players in the world in Virgil van Dijkand also Ibrahima Konate,” said Emery. “We created some attacks and needed more to threaten. But they are some of the better players defensively in the world. It is not easy.”
Heavy touches and miscued passing epitomised Bailey’s night, being nudged off the ball, running into dead ends and was substituted in the 65th minute. There is a feeling he has to return to basics, both in his football and in small changes away from the game.
There has been off-the-field noise around Bailey, namely his battle with the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF), which has led to criticism from people in his country. Ideally, Bailey wished for the dispute to have been resolved some time ago and the reproach from some quarters was difficult to take.
This month’s recall, though, has alleviated some concerns. It is the first time since November 2023 Bailey has been included in the Jamaicasquad, with the reason for his return largely due to Steve McClaren’s appointment as manager, having built a good relationship with him. McClaren’s arrival has allayed Bailey’s concerns over a lack of professionalism at the JFF and believes he has seen improved standards.
“He was so unlucky to miss the first two camps due to injuries, but now he’s had two or three weeks after missing the last camp to get his fitness back,” McClaren said in his press conference. “He’s playing 90 minutes regularly now. He’s absolutely delighted and can’t wait to come over and be part of the squad.”
His complicated relationship with the JFF stems from his stepfather Craig Butler, who adopted Bailey aged eight along with 22 other childrenand is among Jamaican football’s most influential figures.
Issues between the pair and Jamaica are long-standing. Aside from the under-21s, Bailey was not called up to Jamaica’s youth groups, coinciding with a period when he could not attain a visa, blocking him from travelling to Europe for trials. In the end, Butler and Bailey went to Cuba and the Slovakian embassy, where they signed for Slovak Super Liga side, AS Trencin.
Last November, he and forward Trivante Stewart were suspendedfor the next international window after leaving the team hotel after curfew. From the JFF’s perspective, it was a reasonable punishment for breaking the rules and considered the matter closed.
However, the latest wrangle proved the most taut. Bailey insisted, after several incidents, that the JFF was lacking professionalism and in March this year, he decided to take a break from the national team.
“You turn up and there is not even equipment for you,” said Bailey on the Let’s Be Honest podcast. “There is no shirt. They tell us to find our own shorts. Sometimes, they provide us with women’s shirts.
“People don’t know, most of the time, I book my own flight to make sure I reach the national team. (The JFF) are very unprofessional. They send my flight details to me at 11 pm to travel the next day. A lot of the time, I book my flight, but the national team does not pay me.”
The JFF disputed these accusations, describing them as “inaccurate and contradictory”.
While other players’ international selections have annoyed Villa’s staff, such as Morgan Rogers being called up to England’s under-21s, Bailey’s omission was regarded to have contributed to the best season in his career. Sources close to the player, kept anonymous to protect relationships, feel being away on international duty contributed to his injury issues as he would often return to Birmingham after 10-hour flights and unadjusted to the contrasting time zones.
His form is being affected and Villa need the fast and skilful flashes of inspiration he offered last season. If Villa had the Bailey of last year, supplemented by in-form attacking team-mates, they could have capitalised on the space Liverpool afforded.
The international break comes at a good time, with Villa requiring a reset to get back to their best.
What’s going on with Leon Bailey at Aston Villa?
Leon Baileyhas never had a good poker face.
Tears have streamed after poor performances and missed chances. Frustration has been expressed off the field, particularly at himself.
Family and friends have always thought positive affirmation has brought the best out of him and Aston Villahave taken a similar approach this season. His toils have characterised Villa’s broader attacking struggles, with Bailey among several players who know they are going through a lean patch.
Villa’s attitude has been to play Bailey through it, partially because of his impact last season (14 goals and 14 assists across 52 appearances) and also because Unai Emery has no one else like the 27-year-old. Villa are short of one-v-one ball carriers in wide areas, especially after selling Moussa Diaby in the summer.
Bailey helps balance the side and, as demonstrated against Liverpoolwhen Emery is without an archetypal right-back, the need for width is pressing. In a patient build-up structure, Bailey offers a change of pace.
The reliance on Bailey has made his downturn far more discernible. Emery gives him scope to take risks in possession, requiring a large degree of confidence and freedom in his decision-making.
Sources close to Bailey, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships as all sources did for this piece, believe his instincts are being curbed. Cracks emerged towards the end of last season when the squad was stretched and Bailey was playing through injury and, at times, illness. This has continued this term, suffering knocks and rarely appearing physically comfortable.
It is felt on the player’s side that a hamstring injury sustained in August has affected his sharpness and, having suffered the same issue 12 months earlier, he is restoring trust in his body.
“Every day I am speaking with him about it (his form),” said Emery in a recent press conference. “He is accepting my challenge to get the best of him like last year. We need him. Leon is a very specific player for us as a winger, threatening in behind.”
At Anfield, the vignette of Bailey scrambling back as the last defender and tugging at Mohamed Salah’s shirt (top photo) was striking. It was the first of three Villa corners to result in a Liverpool chance and the most damaging, with Darwin Nunezscoring.
Bailey would have been sent off had Nunez not scored and being put in such a compromising position served as another message from the footballing gods that he was not earning the rub of the green.
The 2-0 defeat was deeply frustrating. Both of Liverpool’s goals came on the break while Villa, unlike against Club Bruges, serviced the attacking players yet appeared disconnected in the final third.
“They are fighting against one of the best players in the world in Virgil van Dijkand also Ibrahima Konate,” said Emery. “We created some attacks and needed more to threaten. But they are some of the better players defensively in the world. It is not easy.”
Heavy touches and miscued passing epitomised Bailey’s night, being nudged off the ball, running into dead ends and was substituted in the 65th minute. There is a feeling he has to return to basics, both in his football and in small changes away from the game.
There has been off-the-field noise around Bailey, namely his battle with the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF), which has led to criticism from people in his country. Ideally, Bailey wished for the dispute to have been resolved some time ago and the reproach from some quarters was difficult to take.
This month’s recall, though, has alleviated some concerns. It is the first time since November 2023 Bailey has been included in the Jamaicasquad, with the reason for his return largely due to Steve McClaren’s appointment as manager, having built a good relationship with him. McClaren’s arrival has allayed Bailey’s concerns over a lack of professionalism at the JFF and believes he has seen improved standards.
“He was so unlucky to miss the first two camps due to injuries, but now he’s had two or three weeks after missing the last camp to get his fitness back,” McClaren said in his press conference. “He’s playing 90 minutes regularly now. He’s absolutely delighted and can’t wait to come over and be part of the squad.”
His complicated relationship with the JFF stems from his stepfather Craig Butler, who adopted Bailey aged eight along with 22 other childrenand is among Jamaican football’s most influential figures.
Issues between the pair and Jamaica are long-standing. Aside from the under-21s, Bailey was not called up to Jamaica’s youth groups, coinciding with a period when he could not attain a visa, blocking him from travelling to Europe for trials. In the end, Butler and Bailey went to Cuba and the Slovakian embassy, where they signed for Slovak Super Liga side, AS Trencin.
Last November, he and forward Trivante Stewart were suspendedfor the next international window after leaving the team hotel after curfew. From the JFF’s perspective, it was a reasonable punishment for breaking the rules and considered the matter closed.
However, the latest wrangle proved the most taut. Bailey insisted, after several incidents, that the JFF was lacking professionalism and in March this year, he decided to take a break from the national team.
“You turn up and there is not even equipment for you,” said Bailey on the Let’s Be Honest podcast. “There is no shirt. They tell us to find our own shorts. Sometimes, they provide us with women’s shirts.
“People don’t know, most of the time, I book my own flight to make sure I reach the national team. (The JFF) are very unprofessional. They send my flight details to me at 11 pm to travel the next day. A lot of the time, I book my flight, but the national team does not pay me.”
The JFF disputed these accusations, describing them as “inaccurate and contradictory”.
While other players’ international selections have annoyed Villa’s staff, such as Morgan Rogers being called up to England’s under-21s, Bailey’s omission was regarded to have contributed to the best season in his career. Sources close to the player, kept anonymous to protect relationships, feel being away on international duty contributed to his injury issues as he would often return to Birmingham after 10-hour flights and unadjusted to the contrasting time zones.
His form is being affected and Villa need the fast and skilful flashes of inspiration he offered last season. If Villa had the Bailey of last year, supplemented by in-form attacking team-mates, they could have capitalised on the space Liverpool afforded.
The international break comes at a good time, with Villa requiring a reset to get back to their best.
