Unai Emery confirms 'good news' as Aston Villa handed injury boost

Leon Bailey is fit to feature against Young Boys on Tuesday
-Credit: (Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)


Unai Emery has confirmed Leon Bailey could feature for Aston Villa against Young Boys on Tuesday night (5:45pm kick-off) after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The winger suffered the injury over two weeks ago in Villa's 2-1 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. He subsequently pulled out of international duty with Jamaica before then missing Villa's victory over Everton at the weekend.

Speaking at his press conference before Villa's first Champions League league phase clash against Young Boys, Emery confirmed: "He is in the squad, we will train now and hopefully he will feel good and we’ll decide if he’s playing minutes or in the starting XI, but it’s good news."

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Villa will play six more games in all competitions across the next three weeks before the October international break. Emery has previously outlined his concerns over the amount of matches that are packed into the calendar, including international fixtures.

Asked about it in his pre-match press conference, the Villa manager said: "I'm trying to be intelligent and help the players as much as possible. We’re adding more players who have been in the international team and that’s a good example of how we’ve increased our level.

"They’re playing more matches and that’s a higher risk to get injured. Everything in my hands I try to use the players intelligence and give them a break if they’re tired. One thing that is clear is that they’re playing a lot of matches.

'In this competition I think it’s better, this is the best competition in the world. The clubs in the Champions League are the best and we have to enjoy, it’s the biggest reward in every league to get in the Champions League, this competition is the best competition for everyone."

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