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Bailey, who remains on a sabbatical from the Jamaican national football team, has had a relatively unstable last couple of weeks at Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted that Leon Bailey is currently facing ongoing fitness challenges, following two consecutive underwhelming performances from the Jamaican winger.
Bailey, who has been a key player for Villa, looked far from his best during the club's recent 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday and their narrow 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich last Wednesday.
Bailey, known for his speed and flair, seemed unusually cautious in his approach against United, rarely taking on defenders or making his trademark sprints.
His lack of confidence in possession was noticeable, and it was clear that something was off as he struggled to make an impact. Emery made the decision to substitute Bailey after 60 minutes, replacing him with youngster Jaden Philogene.
Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Emery shed light on the reasons behind Bailey's recent dip in form, confirming that the 26-year-old has been battling a series of minor injuries that have hampered his ability to play at full capacity.
"Leon Bailey is progressively getting better, but he is not fit completely 100 per cent," Emery acknowledged.
"He is having some problems and injuries, not getting comfortable to play 90 minutes or feeling fit. Today after 60 minutes, we replaced him with Jaden [Philogene] on the right side."
Bailey's performance against Bayern Munich earlier in the week was similarly below par, and Emery's decision to bring the winger back into action before he was fully fit appears to have backfired.
Despite being brought on as a substitute, Bailey's impact was minimal, and he was once again taken off before the final whistle.
Emery went on to praise Philogene, who has seized the opportunity to impress in Bailey's absence. "Jaden is really playing in the idea we have defensively and offensively, being competitive and challenging himself with the capacity he has to increase our level. He is doing that. I am very happy," Emery continued.
The situation surrounding Bailey's form and fitness will undoubtedly be a concern for both the player and the club.
His inconsistency in recent weeks, exacerbated by these recurring "niggles," has led to subdued performances, and it is clear that he is far from the dynamic winger Villa fans have come to expect.
Villa supporters will be hopeful that Bailey can overcome these issues and return to his best form.
As the season progresses, much will depend on Bailey’s ability to regain full fitness and rediscover the explosive style of play that has made him such a threat in the Premier League
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