FOLLOWING his new three-year deal at English Premier League (EPL) club Aston Villa, Reggae Boyz forward Leon Bailey has received high praises for his impressive performances at the club, including from Villa boss Unai Emery and Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts.

Villa announced yesterday that Bailey — who signed from German club Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 for a reported 30 million pounds — penned a new deal which will run until 2027, with an option for an additional year.

The 26-year-old has been one of the standout performers at the club this season with 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions, including 13 goal contributions in the Premier League.

Bailey has been a figure in Villa’s best season in recent history as they currently lie fifth in the EPL on 46 points, just eight points off leaders Liverpool, and are also in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Following the announcement of the new deal, an elated Bailey posted on his social media platforms, “The journey continues.”

Ricketts.

Prior to the new contract Bailey said he has more to prove despite the strong showings this campaign.

“I’m very pleased with how things have been going but there’s a lot more to improve on. Still working hard, still trying to add more goals and assists and help the team as much as possible,” he said.

Emery says he knew Bailey could be world-class but believed he needed time to show his true potential. The Spaniard, who has won major titles across Europe, says he started to see a shift in Bailey’s mindset after he went to international duty with the Reggae Boyz last September.

“Against Liverpool [on September 3] he was on the bench and he came on after 20 minutes, and I changed him in the 65th minute more or less. He went to the break with his national team and when he came back, I was thinking every day of him about this change. It was not me trying to punish him or make him feel bad, it was tactical, but he can think it was a little bit hard for him for me to change him,” said Emery.

“I explained it to him. ‘No Leon, I want more. We need more of you. You have to be consistent and focus more than you are doing because it is not enough.’ His commitment has improved and his focus, working every day harder, has improved. His way here, his skills, scoring goals, assists, improves. We decided more or less one month ago to extend his contract; we spoke to him. He is happy here, happy in Birmingham and Aston Villa,” Emery said.

Ricketts also commended Bailey for overcoming adversity after he struggled with injuries and form at Villa and also received criticism for his international performances.

“He was going through a bad patch and I was interviewed by a journalist and I made it very clear that I am a strong supporter of my players. I remember decades ago the great Vivian Richards was going through a rough patch and he said that ‘You may lose form but you’re never going to lose class.’ I’ve always used that analogy to look at Leon’s situation so I’m just very, very happy for him, very delighted,” Ricketts told the
Jamaica Observer.

Ricketts says Bailey’s new contract will also provide a boost to the senior national men’s team.

“This kind of injection will bring more energy from Leon and with Jamaica having some very important games coming up — the Nations League semi-finals and maybe finals, the Copa America, and the World Cup Qualifiers — this is certainly a catalyst for some good games ahead for Leon. We’re just very happy for him. I am just an admirer and fan of every single player that represents my country but Leon is a good person, decent youngster, and I’m very happy for him,” Ricketts added.

The JFF boss also believes it will encourage young Jamaican footballers to reach the highest level.

“This will provide some inspiration for our young players, both male and female. When young players would have heard of the newly signed contract, they must be motivated. We want football to be a catalyst for change as it relates to building this nation of ours. Football must be used as a tool to inspire and to have the social well-being of every single boy and girl impacted in a positive way. I’m sure this will inspire a number of young players and provide the kind of boost that will help them to develop into good players,” Ricketts said.

With Villa in contention for two titles this season Bailey believes they can achieve great things.

“You can see we’re a strong group together. We’ve been bonding and it’s been amazing; I think that’s something we’ll always try to work on and build on and you can expect us to always just keep improving as a team, and keep our style of play, and keep the fans happy. We’re on a mission and we’re trying to complete it at the end of the season,” Bailey said.