Leon Bailey opens up on what 'people don't remember' as Aston Villa star explains dip in form

Leon Bailey admits injury struggles have impacted his confidence, but believes he's now turned a corner after scoring his first goal of the season on Saturday.

He bagged the winning goal against Leicester City as Aston Villa secured their fourth victory in five home games. It was his first strike since April that saw off the Foxes as he beat Jakub Stolarczyk from close range after being picked out by Ian Maatsen from inside the box.

Bailey played an instrumental role in helping Villa finish fourth and reach the Europa Conference League semi-final last term, scoring 14 goals and recording 14 assists in all competitions. After opening his account in the club's first match in 2025, Bailey wants to use his winning goal as a springboard for consistency in the remaining four months of the season.

READ | Aston Villa truth is clear and January transfer window is about to prove it

READ | Unai Emery reveals Aston Villa PSR fears as he explains 'intelligent' solution

"I’m feeling great, it is one of the most difficult things to get off the mark and I am so delighted I was able to do it," Bailey said. "Hopefully things can change and 2025 is my year.

"It is our first win [of 2025] and we hope we can continue getting back to where we need to be. It wasn’t the best first part of the season but hopefully in the second half we can turn things around and get back to where we need to be.

"Sometimes you struggle. But the most important thing is we are still there. That is a team showing character and sometimes you have teams who do well one season and fall off completely in the second.

"But we are still there, we are still in the race, still competing to finish in the European positions. We are really happy with our process so far but we know we have a long way to go. But we are confident we can be there."

Bailey has started 12 of Villa's 20 league games this campaign after dealing with several injury problems and niggles since the end of August.

"Players get injured and sometimes you don’t have confidence coming back from injury," the winger said. "People don’t remember, I have had three injuries since the season started but I have not missed a lot of games, which is important.

"I am still showing up for the team. I am not going to dwell too much on the past. We are back now, off the mark and now I am focused on getting points for the team.

"I have had a groin injury and two hamstring injuries. It is common knowledge when a player is stop-start, stop-start with injuries, coming back, your confidence level drops. It is normal. No player is coming back from injury with their confidence levels over the moon.

"It is going to take them time. Look at Jacob Ramsey. He is coming back, now he needs to start finding himself, get some minutes and start building up his confidence. It is like that for every player.

"I have had three injuries this season and I am still there, still trying to come back. But I am back now and that is the most important thing. I am off the mark and let’s hope there are no more injuries for the rest of the season and we can rack up the goals and assists as much as possible."

Bailey added: "I am a sprinter, a person who makes a lot of runs. I’ve had two hamstring injuries. But these things happen in football. We do a lot of work behind the scenes but even while working, you can still be unfortunate. I have just been unfortunate in the first half of the season.

"Hopefully we can change that in the second half of the season. It happens to the best of the best. It is football, you just have to accept it, work harder, come back and continue.

"That’s my character. I will try to play through and help the team as much as possible. If the coach needs me to be there I will try to be as ready as possible. Sometimes, you can’t. You have to let your body dictate what you can and can’t do. Sometimes I am pushing myself too much and need to chill. But I am alright now, I am fine and back.

"The manager always tries to give the players confidence. It is not just me but all the players. He is a great manager. He knows how to get his team going. He knows the players who need to get confidence, who have been struggling.

"It is teammates as well. Everyone helps play a part in everyone trying to be at their best. He wasn’t saying much, he was just trying to bring confidence."

What do you make of Bailey's comments? Tell us here

Click here to read article