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Bailey aims to regain best form - Jamaican striker ‘happy’ with return to Aston Villa
January 27, 2026
Jamaica winger Leon Bailey looked settled as he made his return to the English Premier League (EPL) with Aston Villa against Newcastle, in a 2-0 win for Villa on Sunday. And his manager, Craig Butler, is convinced the player will rediscover his best form now that he is back in England.
Bailey returned from an injury-plagued five-month loan move to Italy club AS Roma, and Butler believes his time apart from the club has made both parties appreciate each other more, and is confident the marriage will work out even better the second time around.
"Of course he can rediscover (his) spark at Villa. Sometimes you have to be away from something for a little while for you to appreciate what you have," Butler said.
"Whenever you have time apart everybody gets to appreciate you because they look past a few things and realise that they have a good player and start to appreciate you. And on the other hand, he realises that he really loves Villa. So everybody is now back together to make it work and he has a point to prove, so he is going to go there to dominate," Butler stated.
INJURIES
Bailey's loan spell at AS Roma was marred by injuries. He suffered three distinct injuries in his months at the club, starting with a thigh injury in his first training session, then a hamstring issue in November; and muscle issues in December.
Contrary to popular belief, Butler does not think Bailey is as injury-prone as his time in Roma suggests, even though his injury record at Villa is not that impressive either.
Though he insists not casting blame, he believes the training regime by coach Gasperini was not suited for Bailey.
Gasperini had commented after the loan came to an end that the experience was not a good one for the player or club.
However, he does not think Bailey needs specialised training to stay consistently healthy.
"It wasn't the injuries that stopped him from shining at Roma; the coach just wasn't getting the best out of him," Butler opined.
"There is no right or wrong way to do anything; there is just my way and your away and whether it works or it don't work," he reasoned.
Specifically as it relates to staying fit, Butler said, "No he does not really need specialised training to avoid consistent injuries. The type of player Leon is, if you look at all the great players that were like him, players who run a lot and twist and turn, players like Arjen Robben, Leon's injury list is small in comparison and like Robben he will overcome his injuries. He has overcome them all already as he is now fit and ready to play and we will see what happens."
REJUVENATED
He added that Bailey feels rejuvenated on his return to the former European champions and wants to reaffirm his place within the club with top level performances.
"After Leon left, Aston Villa also picked up a lot of injuries to its players in his position and of course they remember what Leon did for them - taking them to their best finish in 40 years, making it to the Champions League and fourth place in the EPL," he said.
"We discussed his return to Aston Villa and the club truly wanted him and he has returned to Villa while having offers from Ajax and more recently Real Mallorca.
"He is happy to go back to Villa. He wants to stay at Aston Villa. Leon loves challenges and he has a point to prove.
"He loves the fans and he is going to show the world who Leon Bailey truly is in terms of performance this window. So let's look out for him and give him the support as Jamaicans."
He added that Bailey, who missed the entire final round of the nation's World Cup qualification, is highly motivated for the playoffs in March.
"Leon loves Jamaica and will always show up for Jamaica. Leon puts Jamaica before himself," he said.
