Dean Smith may be able to call on Leon Bailey when Aston Villa face Chelsea, while John McGinn, Bertrand Traore and Jacob Ramsey may also be available, per Birmingham Live.
Smith has only managed to field Bailey for half an hour since completing a £25m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. The Jamaican winger moved to England in August, signing a four-year contract, and made his Premier League debut against Watford.
Bailey helped to threaten a comeback during defeat at Vicarage Road by assisting McGinn within 10 minutes of his introduction. But has been out of action since feeling his hamstring in training and Smith choosing not to risk the 24-year-old.
Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Brentford in Bailey’s absence prior to the international break. Smith could now award the nine-cap forward his first Villans start away to Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The Birmingham natives may also have Traore, McGinn and Ramsey available to select at Stamford Bridge. Aston Villa have been without Traore due to a hamstring issue picked up during a behind-closed-doors friendly at Liverpool.
McGinn, meanwhile, missed the Brentford affair plus Scotland’s World Cup Qualifier with Denmark after testing positive for Covid-19. While Smith was also without Ramsey at home to Thomas Frank’s newly-promoted Bees as he adhered to coronavirus guidelines.
Both McGinn and Ramsey are likely to be at Smith’s disposal against Chelsea, while Bailey and Traore are potential inclusions. The quartet have only played 18 minutes together in a competitive fixture, after Traore followed Ramsey and Bailey off the bench at Watford.
Aston Villa to get first real look at Bailey against Chelsea?
Aston Villa fans could get their first real look at what Bailey can deliver if Smith starts him at Chelsea. The summer signing gave supporters a glimpse into his dynamic ability with an assist from the bench at Watford. Delivering a brilliant cross for McGinn to latch onto.
Bailey was their brightest spark on a damp day at Vicarage Road, as he chopped his way past the Hornets. The Jamaican was a genuine threat that Smith will look to shape many attacks around in the post-Jack Grealish era.
Smith knew he was signing a dangerous forward by the Kingston-born maestro’s output for Bayer Leverkusen. Bailey ended last term with 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, with an even share on either wing. He also scored from one of four appearances at striker.
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