Aston Villa can reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years when they host Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
That was during the 2012/13 campaign when they were beaten by League Two outfit Bradford City in the semi-finals and finished 15th in the Premier League.
Over a decade on from that crushing defeat, Aston Villa are flying under Unai Emery. The Villans are top of the Champions League table, fourth in the top flight and unbeaten in 11 matches.
Several players have contributed to their fast start, including the incredible super sub-Jhon Duran and the ball-playing class of Youri Tielemans but there is one talent who is currently underperforming compared to last season.
Leon Bailey can nail down starting spot vs Crystal Palace
At this stage last season, Villa winger Leon Bailey was flying in the Premier League, producing three goals and two assists before the end of October.
The 27-year-old ended on an eye-watering 28-goal involvements in all competitions as Emery’s men qualified for the Champions League.
But just like many players of his quality, the Jamaican has encountered a dip in form at the start of this campaign, failing to score in any of his first eight top-flight games.
Bailey has looked a shadow of his former self so far and has lost the confidence that was coursing through his veins during 2023/24.
However, after admitting he hasn’t been close to his best this term, it feels only a matter of time before the jet-heeled winger explodes into life and nails down a spot on the right flank.
In Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, Bailey came off the bench in the 71st minute and grabbed his second assist of the season, heading the ball down to Ross Barkley who prodded the ball past Mark Travers.
As a result of his second-half impact and Emery’s desire to rotate for a cup match, the former Bayer Leverkusen whiz should start against Palace.
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Bailey can exploit Crystal Palace’s weakness
Although the Eagles secured their first win of the season at the weekend, beating Tottenham 1-0, Bailey will still feel he can exploit the weakness in their left channel.
Tyrick Mitchell is someone who likes to get forward whenever he can and the Villa No.31 can occupy a position in the half-space between centre-back and wing-back.
As seen last season, when Bailey scored in a 3-1 win over Palace, the tricky wideman can fashion chances by shifting the ball onto his stronger left foot and playing crosses into the box.
Oliver Glasner’s men have also conceded 15.98 xG in the Premier League this term, despite only shipping 11 goals, which perhaps shows how vulnerable they can be and Villa must exploit that.
