Aston Villa have a tough test ahead of them this weekend as Steven Gerrard’s side take on Chelsea at Villa Park in their latest Premier League fixture.
The Midlands club have had an uninspiring start to their season having won just two of their nine league games, drawing three and losing four. Their previous outing saw them draw 1-1 against Nottingham Forest on Monday night.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s showdown against Graham Potter’s side, it seems as though Gerrard has dropped an encouraging injury update regarding one of his important squad figures.
Speaking after the draw against Forest, the Villa boss discussed Leon Bailey’s potential availability for the weekend after he missed Monday’s clash due to a muscle injury.
When asked if the Jamaican would be fit for the Chelsea game, Gerrard replied: “Hopefully. He was out on training pitch running at 70, 80 per cent yesterday so hopefully, with no reaction, we can push him and get him available.”
Having started six of the eight league games in which he has appeared in this season, this highlights just how valued Bailey is by his manager.
Across his eight top-flight appearances, the 24-year-old has racked up more carries into the 18-yard box (eight) than any other Villa player, while also delivering more crosses (19) than any other midfielder or attacking player at the club.
This duly illustrates Bailey’s attacking ability and shows how he would be able to cause problems for Chelsea at the weekend if he’s fit enough to feature.
Even though the Jamaican has only scored one league goal this season, it came in Villa’s home clash against Manchester City to rescue a point for his team. This shows just how capable the winger is of stepping up and making an impact for his side when it matters, something that they will definitely need against Chelsea.
Lauded by his former Leverkusen boss Heiko Herrlich as a player who “can do anything“, Bailey’s potential availability for Sunday’s clash is encouraging news for Gerrard and Villa.
