---
title: "Leon Bailey could start against Arsenal"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2022/08/30/leon-bailey-could-start-against-arsenal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-08-30T15:30:00Z"
modified: "2022-08-30T15:30:00Z"
---

# Leon Bailey could start against Arsenal

Aston Villa travel to face Arsenal on Wednesday and *Read Aston Villa* believe that [Danny Ings may be dropped](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/08/30/steven-gerrard-could-drop-danny-ings-after-west-ham-performance/) after struggling against West Ham United, so that could open the door for Leon Bailey to start.

Villa travel to the Emirates to face a side boasting maximum points after four Premier League games and a side that pack the midfield, so Steven Gerrard would be foolish to play two strikers against them.

Ings offers less than Ollie Watkins as a centre-forward, so it makes sense to drop him in place of a wide-man, thus changing the system from a 4-1-2-1-2 to a 4-3-3. It would also mean there’s a winger who could pin back the deadly Buyako Saka.

Bailey has made [five appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leon-bailey/leistungsdaten/spieler/387626) in all competitions this season, scoring one goal with one assist while putting in some good performances out wide. The 25-year-old has not been prolific but has shown promise when called upon, so he might deserve a chance to prove his worth.

Villa will need players who can counter-attack with [speed](https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/10-fastest-players-in-history-davies-haaland-hakimi-bailey-16294) as Arsenal will dominate possession. Bailey is that man. He’s comfortable taking on his opposite number and can produce a piece of individual brilliance to make something out of nothing.

***[In other news, here’s why Steven Gerrard is unlikely to drop John McGinn against Arsenal](https://readastonvilla.com/2022/08/30/why-steven-gerrard-is-unlikely-to-drop-john-mcginn-against-arsenal/)***