Don Hutchison has lauded the improvement Leon Bailey has made to his game under Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
The 26-year-old was initially signed by Dean Smith in 2021, but early into the season, he was sacked and replaced by Steven Gerrard.
That proved to be a disaster for everyone at Aston Villa, including the players and their form.
Leon Bailey seriously suffered, with injury issues, a lack of cutting-edge and spark to his game, with many starting to question his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.
But Don Hutchison thinks all of that has now changed and he is now performing at ‘the very highest level’ for Aston Villa, as he told Premier League Productions (17/03/24 at 1:40 pm).
That £25 million that was paid for him now looks like a steal because he is a key reason why Unai Emery is pushing the team towards the Champions League.
From Leon Bailey’s 40 matches in all competitions this season, he has 12 goals and 11 assists, including eight goals and assists in the Premier League.
He wasn’t even showing signs of this under the previous manager, but it just goes to show how high-class coaching can transform individuals and a team.
Leon Bailey’s transformation
“He is a player I have seen a lot of when he was in Germany and the Bundesliga with Leverkusen,” said Hutchison.
“When Steven Gerrard had him at Villa, they couldn’t get him to top speed. He couldn’t get to top speed and kept breaking down, but now he is fit.
“He has always had ability. He can play different roles. He can play as a false nine or a number ten. A very left-footed player and very direct. Two good feet. He needs to add a few more goals to his game because he has it in his locker.
“He is a very intelligent player and the positions that he picks up under Unai Emery. He’s always a player that loves to chop back onto his left foot, so if you are defending against him, then do your homework.
“A player now under Unai Emery who is performing at the very highest level, and the most important thing, is staying fit because the talent is there.”
One of the first names on the teamsheet…
The Jamaica star is now a key player for the team and one of the first names on the teamsheet.
What’s even better is that he is growing by the week and he could still yet reach higher levels, alongside the team.
One of them is pushing Villa over the top-four line and then helping the team win the Europa Conference League.
And then Villa will be at the elite level, where anything and everything could happen.
