Leon Bailey Dismisses Aston Villa Competition Concerns, Focuses on Team Success
Leon Bailey has made it crystal clear—he’s not losing sleep over the added competition in Aston Villa’s attacking lineup. After the club made some big moves in the winter transfer window, bringing in Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Donyell Malen, many speculated that Bailey’s spot in the team could be under threat. But for the Jamaican winger, it’s not about competition—it’s about collaboration.
Speaking to the media, Bailey emphasized that the real focus should be on how well the team plays together rather than who gets the starting spot. "There's always competition, but that’s not the most important thing," he said. "The most important thing is being able to play well together. It doesn't matter who is up front; what matters is making sure we function as a unit."
Bailey has already proven his worth this season. In the first half of the campaign, he was Villa’s preferred option on the right wing, ahead of Jaden Philogene, who was eventually sold. Now, with Rashford and Asensio making strong starts and Malen also catching the eye, the attacking options under Unai Emery are stronger than ever. But Bailey isn’t fazed.
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Since joining on loan, Rashford has been in fine form, creating more chances than any other Premier League player since his debut on February 9. Meanwhile, Asensio has been clinical in front of goal, scoring braces in back-to-back home matches. But Bailey has also made an impact, providing a crucial assist in Villa’s recent 2-0 FA Cup win over Cardiff City, setting up Asensio’s second goal of the night.
When asked whether the increased competition worries him, Bailey shut down the idea completely. "No, I don’t think that’s ever the focus," he responded. "That’s more for the media to think about. We, as players, don’t look at it that way. We’re all on the same team, working towards the same objective—winning games."
Instead of dwelling on personal rivalries, Bailey stressed the importance of chemistry among the squad. "The more you play with your teammates, the better the understanding gets," he explained. "It’s all about gelling well together. If it’s not working for me on a particular day, we have strong options on the bench who can come in and make a difference. That’s how we win games."
Aston Villa is now just one win away from securing a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals, and Bailey knows exactly what that means for both the players and the fans. "It’s going to be amazing if we can get there and bring the fans, our families, and everyone along for the journey," he said. "But we don’t just want to make it to Wembley—we want to win there. Our main goal this season is to lift a trophy, and that’s what we’re pushing for."
Bailey’s mindset is clear: it’s not about who starts or who sits on the bench—it’s about getting results as a team. With Villa fighting on multiple fronts and aiming for silverware, his attitude and contributions could be key in making this a season to remember.
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