Gabby Agbonlahor says he finds it ‘very odd’ that Leon Bailey started crying after his horror stoppage-time miss for Aston Villa during their 1-1 draw against Wolves on Wednesday night.
The former Aston Villa striker thinks fans are making a ‘big deal’ out of Bailey failing to score what would have been the winning goal for Unai Emery’s side because he thinks it’s more ‘difficult’ than people think.
After a lacklustre, lifeless and error-prone first-half performance from Villa, which included going 1-0 behind to a brilliant Daniel Podence finish, the home team turned up the heat after the break.
Tyrone Mings’ outstanding ball over the top was brilliantly controlled and finished by substitute Danny Ings with 12 minutes left on the clock, before Villa pushed for the winner.
Then, in the final minute of the game, in not too dissimilar circumstances to Ings’ goal, Bailey was rushing through on goal, where he managed to round goalkeeper Jose Sa, but with an open net to aim for, he failed to get a proper connection on the ball.
The 25-year-old was falling over and he was on his weaker right foot when he tried to connect with the ball, but it just wasn’t meant to happen and now it’s something that will ring around in his head again and again.
But, for Agbonlahor, he couldn’t understand why Bailey was slumped on the floor crying after the game, as he told talkSPORT on Thursday morning.
“I have been there when you have gone around the keeper,” said Agbonlahor. “You are trying to get some decent contact on it. You know with your weaker foot. It’s like ‘just get your side foot on it’.
“I think he’s that much of a left-footed player, he is so poor on his right foot, that unfortunately missed. But it’s not an open goal. People like to make a big deal out of misses.
“It’s just very odd for me. I am all about players for passion and disappointment. If you got sent off and you cost your team the game, then be angry and disappointed.
“But to miss a chance like that, it’s not an easy chance either. To cry? I don’t know. It seems very odd to me.”
LEON BAILEY SHOULD HOLD HIS HEAD UP HIGH
The Jamaica international can’t dwell on this too much because these moments have happened before in the game and they will happen again.
Now it’s all about how he reacts because that will showcase the true character within him.
Villa will take on League Two Stevenage on Sunday in the FA Cup, it will be interesting just how many changes Emery makes for the match.
But Bailey will have his chance to unleash himself and express his frustration on Leeds United during Villa’s next Premier League fixture.
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