Steven Gerrard feels ‘everyone is waiting’ to see Leon Bailey put his torrid injury record in the past and the summer transfer explode at Aston Villa, via quotes by the Express & Star.
Bailey has endured a frustrating debut season in the Premier League following his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen under Dean Smith. The Villans’ £25m signing has only amassed 11 appearances across all competitions so far this term. He has also only started four games.
All 11 of Bailey’s Villans outings to date have so far come in the top-flight for a combined 460-minutes. He has still provided one goal and two assists, too, but has failed to impact the scoring since October. The winger is now seven games without any goal involvements.
Injuries have seriously derailed Bailey’s attempts to build any momentum as an Aston Villa player under either Smith or Gerrard. He missed two matches after assisting on debut at Watford and three after coming off the bench to score and turn the tide against Everton.
Gerrard has seldom been able to unleash the 24-year-old since taking charge in November, as well, due to Bailey’s issues. The Jamaica international sustained a severe thigh strain during the England icon’s third match in charge and would have to sit out eight fixtures.
Gerrard feels ‘everyone is waiting’ for Bailey to explode at Aston Villa
Bailey has stepped up his recovery from the thigh injury with substitute outings in Aston Villa’s last two games. He could soon be back in contention to start, with the Villans next in action at Brighton on Saturday. The Birmingham outfit then host Southampton on March 5.
Gerrard is keen to see Bailey back on the pitch consistently and becoming the player Aston Villa felt they signed. The 12-cap dynamo left Bayer Leverkusen on the back of scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists over his 40 appearances across all competitions last season.
“Everyone is waiting for him. The owners, the board, the staff, the players,” Gerrard said. “We’re all waiting for Leon to really burst onto the scene, stay healthy and find his best level. We’ve signed a talent who has produced at his previous clubs and he’s shown flashes.
“Leon’s focus has to be on staying fit, getting himself in the best physical condition and allowing his talent to flourish. He’s a fantastic player, and we need to see more of it.”
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