Jamaican forward Leon Bailey is set to extend his stay at English Premier League (EPL) club Aston Villa by signing a new long-term contract.
Discussions regarding a new deal have been ongoing since December, with Bailey eager to commit his future to the Villains.
Bailey’s current contract with Aston Villa is set to expire in June 2025, and it was initially signed when he joined the club from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2021, for a transfer fee of approximately £30 million (now US$37.7 million).
Experienced injury setbacks
During his first year at Villa Park, the 26-year-old experienced injury setbacks, making only seven Premier League starts and 11 appearances as a substitute in the 2021-22 season. However, he became a more regular fixture in the team under managers Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery last season, contributing with four goals and four assists in 33 league games.
In the current season, Bailey has been in fine form and has emerged as one of Aston Villa’s top performers, with his 10 goals in all competitions ranking second only to Ollie Watkins’ 16 goals for the club.
Bailey previously played for Belgian club Genk before making a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2017, where he scored 39 goals in 156 appearances before transferring to Aston Villa.
A constant threat in attack
His importance to Aston Villa has grown significantly over the winter months, with head coach Unai Emery focused on enhancing Bailey’s consistency away from home. Bailey has been a constant threat in attack, consistently contributing with goals and assists at an impressive rate.
Unai Emery spoke highly of Bailey, praising his potential and acknowledging his continuous improvement. Bailey has predominantly operated from the right wing this season, showcasing his pace and providing a key outlet on the transition.
Internationally, Leon Bailey has represented Jamaica on 30 occasions, making his senior debut in 2019 and scoring five goals for the national team.
Bailey’s new contract is a sign of Aston Villa’s commitment to retaining their key players and building for the future, and it reflects his growing importance within the squad.
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