Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has opened up about his emotional return to the club, following a challenging loan period at Italian side AS Roma. The 28-year-old Jamaican international expressed his delight at being back in Birmingham, admitting he had been missing everything about Villa during his time away.
A Difficult Spell in Italy
Bailey's five-month stint at AS Roma under manager Gian Piero Gasperini was marred by injuries and limited opportunities. Originally set to spend the entire season with the Serie A club, which held a £19 million option to buy him permanently, Bailey started just one league match before being recalled by Aston Villa last month.
This recall coincided with Villa allowing forward Evann Guessand to depart for Crystal Palace, creating space for Bailey's return to the squad. The winger's difficult period in Rome contrasted sharply with his positive experiences at Villa Park.
Missing the Villa Environment
Speaking on the Official Aston Villa Podcast, Bailey explained his decision to return with heartfelt sincerity. "I'm delighted to be back. I've missed everything about Villa when I left," he revealed. "First of all, I missed the dressing room, with the boys, I missed the dressing room."
Bailey went on to praise manager Unai Emery and the entire coaching staff, describing them as crucial to his career development. "I did miss the manager a lot, too. He is, for me, the best manager I've had, and I think he's amazing," Bailey said. "Not just the manager, the staff around it as well. All of them, they all play a massive part. They've helped my career a lot, and I'm grateful for that."
Returning to a Learning Environment
The winger emphasized how returning to Villa has reinvigorated his professional development. "To be back in that environment is amazing. I feel like I'm learning again. I feel like I'm in a good place," Bailey explained. "It's deep for me with the staff that is here. To be back here is amazing."
Bailey also shared his long-term perspective on club loyalty and achievement. "My goal has always been to be part of something, where you can say you've been somewhere from the start and see the end result," he stated, hinting at his ambitions with the Villans.
Season Goals and Title Aspirations
When asked about his objectives for the remainder of the season, Bailey expressed determination to contribute significantly to the team's success. "I am hoping to put my best foot forward all the time," he said. "I want to help the team as much as possible with the best of my abilities."
Reflecting on Villa's recent progress, Bailey drew parallels with their position two years ago. "I said it in the meeting today that two years ago, we were in a good place like we are right now," he noted. "If we can learn from that and try to improve from what we done in that time ... maybe this is the time we can really compete and really go for a title."
Bailey's return adds depth and experience to Aston Villa's attacking options as they push for success in domestic competitions. His candid reflections reveal a player genuinely committed to the club's project and eager to make up for lost time after his Italian adventure.
