While his former club is dreaming of the double, Leon Bailey is enjoying good times in the Premier League. On Monday, the former Leverkusen player extended his contract with Aston Villa ahead of schedule
On Sunday, Aston Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. But the next day, the English European Cup aspirants provided their supporters with much better news: Leon Bailey has extended his contract.
The 26-year-old winger was originally tied down until 2025, but has now been given a new contract with a presumably improved salary. Villa did not provide any details in their announcement, however, and the Birmingham club also did not reveal the length of the contract
One thing is certain: Bailey has now arrived at the Villans. In 2021, after a strong Bundesliga season (30 games, 18 scoring points), he joined from Bayer Leverkusen for €32 million, but was then repeatedly thwarted by injuries in his first season. In 2022/23, he increased the number of minutes he played before hitting the ground running. Over the past few months, coach Unai Emery has deployed the Jamaican international on the right wing in his 4-2-2-2 system. The result so far: seven goals and seven assists in 22 Premier League games
The chemistry between Bailey and Emery is right
“His potential is outstanding. He’s getting better and better and at the same time he’s humble, listens and improves,” Emery says of Bailey, who for his part is happy to be working with a “fantastic” coach. According to media reports, Bailey had never considered leaving Villa.
The Champions League finally beckons him there too: although Villa slipped to fifth place as a result of the defeat against Man United, they are only one point behind fourth-placed Spurs. While former club Leverkusen are aiming for the championship and DFB Cup, Bailey is writing his very own success story
