“Excited To Get Started” – Villa Add International Attacker To Our Ranks

Aston Villa’s chase for Bayer Levekusen attacker Leon Bailey was quite the secret until the press finally got wind of it, but even then official confirmation of the deal wasn’t too far behind, even if we had to wait a couple of days for the formalities to be finalised given his Gold Cup involvement for Jamaica.

The 23-year-old talent is predominantly a right forward/winger but can operate on all attacking flanks as well as through the middle, so he provides head coach Dean Smith with a variety of options as we go into the 2021/22 Premier League campaign and looking a few highlight reels, he might not quite be a box of frogs, but much like Bertrand Traore, good luck guessing what he might try and do next.

ℹ️ Leon Bailey has transferred to @AVFCOfficial after 4.5 years in Leverkusen.

Thank you for everything @leonbailey and we wish you all the best in your new challenge! ⚫️❤️ pic.twitter.com/jCYiaVpn9K

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 4, 2021

The 10-capped international has signed a deal with us keeping him at Villa Park until 2025 and he comes in with both Champions League and Europa League experience. In three and a half years at Leverkusen, he chipped in with 39 goals and 22 assists.

Speaking to the Official Site as we confirmed his arrival, Smith said.

“Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity. He has enjoyed a successful career at Leverkusen and we are now looking forward to watching him show his skills and talents for Aston Villa in the Premier League.”

Fans will read into Smith describing him as a striker.

Vital Villa’s Leon Bailey Forum Thread

Bailey himself commented.

“For me, it’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started. It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and I’m excited about it. Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.”

Adding.

“I like to give assists and I like to score, that’s always been me. I like to score and be the one who gives the pass in a decisive moment and not be selfish. I’m not always thinking about scoring, I’m more so thinking about the team. Whichever situation we’re in, I try to adapt to it and better the team. If there’s an opportunity for me, I’ll take it. If there’s someone in a better position, I’ll make the pass and get the assist. I’m a flair type of person, I like to entertain the fans, do my tricks, use my speed and make life difficult for defenders.”

A great read on his background, attitude and approach to life – click here

What will @LeonBailey bring to Aston Villa? 🤔

"I'm always there for the team whenever the team needs me, and always put on a great show for the fans." 🔥#WelcomeLeon

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 4, 2021

Stats from 2020-21 Bundesliga 📊

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jadon Sancho
24 Starts
8 Goals
11 Assists

🇯🇲 Leon Bailey
25 Starts
9 Goals
8 Assists

🇩🇪 Serge Gnabry
20 Starts
10 Goals
2 Assists

Leon Bailey putting up outstanding numbers last season, up there with the division’s elite wingers 👏 #avfc pic.twitter.com/luxE8RAhBU

— Total Villa (@Total_Villa) August 2, 2021

Welcome to the club Leon, let’s let him get settled and adjust and then see what he can do.