Leon Bailey Highlights Team Discipline in Aston Villa's Vital Victory Over Brighton
Leon Bailey has opened up about the key factors behind Aston Villa's crucial 1-0 Premier League win against Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park. The Jamaican winger, who recently returned from a loan spell at AS Roma, made a significant impact off the bench, assisting Tyrone Mings' late goal to secure three vital points for the club.
A Scrappy but Controlled Performance
In post-match comments, Bailey admitted the victory was hard-earned, describing the match as scrappy. He emphasized that Aston Villa maintained control throughout, never losing their composure despite the challenging nature of the game. "We always had control, we never lost our heads, even though it was a bit scrappy," Bailey stated. "The last two games here at home haven't been the best, and we just had to ensure we kept a clean sheet – that was the most important thing."
Bailey highlighted the team's defensive focus as a cornerstone of their success, noting that once they solidified at the back, their attacking quality shone through. "In the end, we know that we have the quality to deliver. Once we were focused in defence, we have the quality to get the goal," he explained. "In the end, it was a scrappy one, but we're grateful for it."
Impactful Contribution Off the Bench
Despite only featuring for a short period, Bailey's introduction proved decisive. He revealed that manager instructions spurred him to be aggressive and create chances, addressing a slight lack in attack. "We had moments where maybe I could impact the game on the wing and it was my aggressiveness to try to create more chances in front and be more aggressive in front of the goal, because we were lacking that a little bit," Bailey said. "He told me it's my time now to give the impact that we need up front. He told me just go on and do your thing, and take your one v ones, and I tried to do that and tried to impact the game."
Controversy Surrounding Loan Return
The win comes amid ongoing debate about Bailey's recent return from AS Roma. Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini described the loan as "a real ordeal", citing a series of injuries that hampered Bailey's time in Italy. Gasperini commented, "Unfortunately, Bailey's experience was negative for both him and us. He got injured on the first day of training, and from there, a real ordeal began."
However, Bailey's agent, Craig Butler, contradicted this narrative, asserting that Aston Villa recalled the player due to squad injuries. Butler told CVM Television, "He didn't return to Aston Villa because Roma didn't want him, but because the club needed him. They wanted him back because they needed a player of his calibre."
Gasperini further elaborated on the situation, suggesting injuries were the primary factor in the decision. "It took a long time to recover, then there were some stints, but every time he seemed ready to return fully, he relapsed. I believe injuries were the main factor in this decision," he said.
This victory marks an important step for Aston Villa as they aim to build momentum in the Premier League, with Bailey's contributions and team focus proving pivotal in a tightly contested match.
