Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes Leon Bailey’s emotional reaction after his late miss against Wolves was a positive thing as he backed his forward.
Villa secured a 1-1 draw against Julen Lopetegui’s side on Wednesday night, with Danny Ings bagging a second-half equaliser to rescue a point for us in what was a disappointing performance.
READ MORE: Villa player ratings vs Wolves: Ings rescues point in disappointing display
Bailey missed an early chance to break the deadlock, but he put a big opportunity wide in injury time despite having the goal gaping in front of him after doing all the hard work to create the opening.
The Jamaican international was inconsolable after the full-time whistle as he was seen in tears on the pitch, with both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins picking him up and comforting him.
Emery backed his player though when speaking after the game, as he insisted that the emotion was a good thing as it shows that Bailey not only cares, but understands the responsibility he has.
“It’s a huge chance. He was crying but it is good,” Emery told BBC Sport.
“If he is crying it is because he was feeling, and to feel moments like that and to have the responsibility is good. I want to help them to take responsibility and do their best.”
As seen in the image below, Bailey took to Instagram to apologise to Villa fans and conceded that he would struggle to sleep after not taking his chance to seal all three points.
While it was a disappointing miss, it’s important that he now puts it behind him and uses it as motivation to improve and make the difference next time out.
The 25-year-old has a major role to play for us for the rest of the season, and given how heavily he has featured since Emery took charge, it’s clear that the Villa boss values him highly and will continue to show faith in him as we look to improve again after this latest performance.
Leon Bailey on Instagram…👊🏽🟣🔵#avfc #UTV pic.twitter.com/SeCnyYTQLv
— Talk Villa (@thetalkvilla) January 4, 2023
