Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has signed a new contract.
The Jamaica international, a £30million signing from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, has developed into one of the key men behind Villa’s impressive run under Unai Emery this season.
The length of the new deal was not disclosed.
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The 26-year-old has scored 10 goals and registered nine assists in all competitions this season, helping put Villa in contention for a Champions League spot.
Those hopes were hit yesterday, however, when Manchester United won 2-1 at Villa Park. Bailey started but was surprisingly withdrawn with 17 minutes to go.
Speaking last week, Emery outlined his delight at Bailey’s form following reports a new deal was in the offing.
He said: “The adaptation for some players is longer than for others. Leon came from the German league and in his first year he didn’t play consistently and had injuries.
“When I came here I tried to set him as a second striker, and get him using his best characteristics and he was still adapting.
Aston Villa is pleased to announce that Leon Bailey has signed a new contract with the club! ✍️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 12, 2024
“At the end of the season he was still not consistently in the starting XI in key matches and I spoke with him this year in pre-season about how we could improve different issues and things because he was not showing us consistency.
“His reaction was fantastic. [I told him] Leon I want more. We need more of you. You need to be consistent and focus more because what you are doing is not enough.
“Now his commitment has improved. His focus, working everyday harder, has improved. His skills, scoring, and assisting has improved and we decided one month ago he deserved a new contract.”
