- Leon Bailey has turned around his Aston Villa career after shining this season
- His wage will rise closer to that of Emi Martinez, Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins
- Mail Sport’s Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel gives the transfer latest on Ivan Toney, Conor Gallagher and more on It’s All Kicking Off
Leon Bailey is set for contract talks at Aston Villa thanks to his sparkling recent form for Unai Emery‘s title challengers.
The Jamaican was among those Villa were willing to let go last summer but he has developed into a key player this term, scoring six goals and providing five assists to help Emery’s men into second, three points behind leaders Liverpool.
Bailey joined Villa in 2021 for about £25million with part of the proceeds from the £100m sale of Jack Grealish to Manchester City, and signed an initial four-year deal thought to include options for extension.
But so impressive has Bailey been in the autumn and winter that Villa are keen to reward him with fresh terms and elevate him closer to Villa’s top bracket of earners, which includes Emi Martinez, Tyrone Mings, Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins.
Since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in October 2022, Villa’s wage bill has increased significantly, with Mings, Watkins, Martinez, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa among the players who have had big pay rises.
Leon Bailey is set to be rewarded with a new contract at Aston Villa after shining this season
Bailey scored as Villa beat Burnley 3-2 in their final game of 2023, though he is likely to be among several players given a breather for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.
He said: ‘I’m very pleased with the way things are going for me personally.
‘I’m here to help the team as much as possible. Whenever I’m called upon, I’m here.
He has scored six goals and provided five assists to help Villa move into second in the table