Despite a limited role in our pre-season schedule, Leon Bailey started for Aston Villa in our 5-1 defeat to Newcastle Utd and it again raised question marks.
The 26-year-old was given an extended break over the summer following his international commitments with Jamaica, but he eventually joined up with the squad in the USA and featured thereafter.
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It’s a big year for Bailey having provided a limited contribution last season with just five goals and four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions, while his current contract at Villa runs until June 2025.
Given our need for competition and depth this year as we look to compete on multiple fronts, it’s understandable as to why he forms part of Unai Emery’s plans moving forward, but if he continues to struggle to make a decisive impact, just how long can we carry on showing faith in him?
This shouldn’t be mistaken for a piece singling him out for criticism after yesterday’s performance. Moussa Diaby was arguably the only player to come away from St James’ Park with any credit, and so this is specifically aimed at asking the question over whether Bailey is the right solution for us in the role he plays.
Time will tell if we make further signings this summer to strengthen the squad, and particularly following the injury suffered by Emiliano Buendia, it does leave us light in terms of a creative option that can play either out wide or through the middle.
In turn, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see us bring in a new face for that department, and that could subsequently push Bailey down the pecking order again.
Nevertheless, he continues to earn Emery’s trust, and whether that comes from his level of performance in training or the attributes that he brings to the side and the influence he’s capable of having in our attack is unclear, but we’re just not seeing it enough on a consistent basis to warrant his inclusion.
After switching off in the build-up to the first goal we conceded against Newcastle as he failed to cut out the cross, Bailey was largely anonymous in an attacking sense and did little to trouble their backline.
In 45 minutes on the pitch as he was replaced at the break, Bailey had 27 touches, 36 percent passing accuracy, zero key passes, three attempted crosses with no success, no shots on goal on or off target, no dribble attempts and lost possession 16 times.
From a defensive perspective, he made one interception, but had no tackles and won two of six duels.
It’s that struggle to really convince as part or our system and style of play that really raises question marks over his ongoing involvement, as he simply doesn’t feel like the right fit for us more often than not.
Sure, he has his moments, and it’s frustrating as clearly there is a player with real talent there. His pace and directness are important strengths to add a different dynamic to our attack and keep the opposition concerned.
However, there isn’t a decisive end-product to that, and with his questionable defensive work, it leaves us vulnerable and asking questions.
Having featured prominently in pre-season, Jaden Philogene will arguably feel as though he had a strong argument to start on Saturday following Buendia’s setback, and perhaps we’ll see him next weekend against Everton.
Emery seemingly still believes in his potential to be a pivotal figure in his line-up, but Bailey is surely running out of opportunities and time to establish himself as a starter in this Villa side, as not much appeared to have changed from last season in terms of the doubts over his ability to be a difference maker week in and week out for us.
It’s like playing with 10 men when he’s on the pitch useless and lazy
@kevin Lacey exactly been saying this for ages. He’s absolutely useless.