Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has shared his verdict on the club’s Champions League hopes following their dominating win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Unai Emery is allowing Aston Villa to dream of a top-four finish, particularly after taking another significant step in the race for the Champions League on Saturday.
The Villans’ 4-2 win at Villa Park took them five points clear of Spurs and eight points clear of Manchester United, putting them truly in the driving seat when it comes to securing 4th place.
Goals from Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and a brace from Douglas Luiz earned the hosts a much-needed three points at home after three consecutive defeats at Villa Park.
After the game, goalscorer and the creator of Watkins’ goal, Bailey, spoke to the media on the squad’s hopes for the season with a mention of Champions League football.
What Leon Bailey said about Aston Villa in the Champions League
Speaking after the Forest win, via BirminghamLive, the Jamaica international firstly explained his efforts to turn his form around after a slow start to life at Villa, but quickly turned the narrative to the aspirations of the team.
“Most importantly, we want to reach our target for the end of the season. We want to be in the Champions League and that is a goal for me as well.”
“The goal is to finish in the top four. It is my target as well. We just have to take it step by step and we will achieve it if we are consistent. I believe in this team a lot.”
“We just have to keep pushing, keep being the way we have, being humble and continue working hard. That is the most important thing.”
Leon Bailey’s performance against Forest showcased his improvement
After losing at home to Manchester United two weeks ago, it was imperative that Emery’s side returned to winning ways against Forest to keep their fight for the top four alive.
Bailey said on the dip in form:
“We went through a little phase but it is the Premier League and it is difficult. Sometimes you face these challenges and it is about how you overcome them and how fast you overcome them.”
Taking the lead after just four minutes was exactly the start that the fans wanted to see, as Watkins netted his 14th of the league season thanks to some magnificent work from Bailey.
On Saturday, the winger claimed his eighth goal and seventh assist of the Premier League campaign, highlighting how integral his revival of form has been this term.
Last season, the Jamaican ended the 2022/23 calendar on just four goals and four assists, with his boost in performance being one of the influencing factors to the success of Villa’s journey so far in 2023/24.
With Spurs on a game in hand below Villa, the Premier League meeting between the two sides at Villa Park in between the first and second leg clash with Ajax could provide the club with an insight into just how far this team can go under Emery.
