£25m Aston Villa ace slammed as FA chief hits back at ‘disappointing’ criticism

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Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is struggling to replicate his Premier League form on the international stage with the Jamaican Football Federation president disappointed by the criticism coming his way. 

Leon Bailey, in an impassioned riposte to his critics recently, wasted little time in pointing out that Jamaica have lost only three competitive games since he forced his way into the Reggae Boyz picture back in 2019. 

But a tally of one goal and no assists in his last eight appearances has the critics rounding on Aston Villa’s £25 million forward, Bailey largely ineffective even against opposition such as Guatemala, Haiti and Grenada. 

As far as Michael Ricketts is concerned, however, the concern over Bailey’s performances have been overblown.

Aston Villa ace struggling for his country

“That’s how the sport is. Sometimes you struggle for form. Once you regain your form, all will be well,” the Jamaican Football Federation chief tells the Jamaica Star.  

“(The criticism) is disappointing. His heart is in the right place.

“I have told him; ‘You will get it right soon, and then all of Jamaica will embrace you again’. I am sure he will get it right soon.

“(The criticism) is unfortunate. Leon said to me after the game, ‘President, whatever I do, I want to do it for my country. I really don’t want it to be for myself’. It was touching when he said that to me.”

Bailey’s form at club level, in contrast, has been rather impressive of late.

The former Bayer Leverkusen flyer has six goals and six assists from 18 appearances under Unai Emery this season, and made a big impact off the bench during Sunday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

A performance hailed to the hilt by Aston Villa captain John McGinn. 

Six goals already for Leon Bailey this season

“What a win,” McGinn tells Villa TV. “We deserved to be behind at half-time, I think. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to say analysing it. Second half, we had to be brave, we had to roll our sleeves up.

“The two subs coming on, Youri (Tielemans) and Leon, were absolutely outstanding. Brave. So clever, Youri’s pass for Ollie (Watkins’ winner) is outstanding. And it’s a great goal.”