How Bailey has played his way into Emery's plans

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 18.

Player analysis: Leon Bailey (Aston Villa)

Unai Emery is finding it increasingly hard to leave Leon Bailey out of Aston Villa’s team.

AVL

1-1

SHU

Highlights Available

close

TV Info - Broadcasters

The Jamaican winger has only started five Premier League matches this season, but has already delivered five goals and five assists.

As an impact substitute or from the start, Bailey has been scintillating and destructive.

Remarkably, his record of 1.46 direct goal involvements per 90 minutes means the 26-year-old currently leads the way as the division’s most productive performer.

PL players direct goal involvements per match

*Minimum five starts

Balancing the team

From a tactical angle it is no coincidence that Bailey’s last three starts came in matches where Ezri Konsa played as Villa’s right-back.

It stems from two of Emery’s recent selection choices which have influenced a strategic rejig.

The Spaniard has brought centre-back Diego Carlos and midfielder Youri Tielemans into his starting XI, with Matty Cash and Nicolo Zaniolo making way.

That means John McGinn has moved to the left, with Tielemans operating behind Ollie Watkins in a 4-4-1-1 formation that sees Konsa shifted to full-back.

In their previous set up Villa had a narrow 4-4-2 with Moussa Diaby roaming free up front, but the use of two attacking full-backs, Cash and Lucas Digne, meant the team still had plenty of width.

When Konsa moves to right-back, they are unable to stretch rival sides as much down the flanks, and this is one of the reasons why Bailey has enjoyed more starts.

In that set-up Bailey provides balance, outstanding width and quality as an out-and-out winger.

He scored a wonderful winning goal against Manchester City when driving in from the wing, and his assist for McGinn at home to Arsenal was also fantastic wing play.

Bailey's MW17 assist v Arsenal

Those two matches sandwiched an excellent goal and assist from Bailey against AFC Bournemouth and Brentford respectively.

Out wide he is player that makes things happen.

Outshining Diaby

Summer signing Diaby has been terrific since joining the club, supplying three goals and four assists of his own.

Yet in this revamped XI, with midfielders McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara must-picks, he is finding it hard to displace Bailey on the right.

This could mean he is primarily competing with Tielemans for a spot supporting Watkins from central areas; a position he may occupy against Sheffield United if Emery adopts an attacking game plan.

When you compare Bailey and Diaby’s data it is clear they are both impressing, but it is Bailey’s dribbling ability, clinical finishing, and assist-making that are giving him the edge.

Bailey v Diaby statistics per 90 minutes 2023/24

Only four Premier League players are attempting more dribbles per match than Bailey, who has carried the ball superbly for several of his goals and assists.

He made a powerful long distance run when scoring the winner against Man City, and it was Bailey’s driving burst from midway inside his own half that led to his assist for Watkins against Fulham too.

Facing a Sheff Utd side who are sure to set up defensively at Villa Park on Friday, Bailey’s power, pace and positive influence will be of real importance to Emery’s side.

His presence seems to have elevated the speed and directness of their attacks.

Playing with this level of confidence, he will be incredibly difficult for the Blades to contain.

Also in this series

Part 2: Liverpool's front three must step up to keep pace at the top
Part 3: Why Kudus and Paqueta are the perfect pairing