Talks touted as Villa eye permanent exit for bit-part ace

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is reportedly attracting interest from Hull City, Celta Vigo and Trabzonspor as an exit could be on the cards this month.

The 28-year-old joined us from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 and has since gone on to make 163 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals and providing 25 assists.

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The 2023/24 campaign was undoubtedly his best in a Villa shirt as he emerged as a decisive figure for Unai Emery, but he has struggled to replicate that form since and has spent time out on loan at Roma while searching for a more permanent solution despite his return in the back-end of last season

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It appears as though a solution could now present itself, as The Athletic report that Hull are in talks with Villa to sign the Jamaican international, with Villa said to be pushing for a permanent move rather than it being a loan.

Further, both Celta Vigo and Trabzonspor could be options for Bailey, but it’s suggested that his preference would be to remain in England and the Premier League.

It has to be said that despite his role in our progress and success in recent years and having been a key option for Emery despite his struggles for form, an exit this summer would make most sense for all concerned, particularly if it was a permanent one.

Bailey would get a fresh challenge to secure a more prominent role while Villa could bank his fee and clear his wages to invest in an upgrade, and so ideally an agreement can be found with Hull to seal a move on a permanent basis.

That would also perhaps clear the path for Alysson to take on a key role for us this season and beyond as much is expected of the talented young Brazilian, and so coupled with the other changes we’re making this summer with high-profile exits to fund a rebuild and to start a new cycle, moving Bailey on makes a lot of sense and it’s hoped that a suitable solution is found that suits everyone.