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Aston Villa suffer fresh injury blow in Southampton clash ahead of festive fixtures

Leon Bailey

Leon Bailey (Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Aston Villa have been dealt a fresh injury concern after Leon Bailey came off in this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Southampton.

The winger was sprinting to collect a pass from John McGinn on a counter-attack, before he trapped the ball and knocked it out of play.

He appeared to clutch his hamstring or thigh before sitting on the floor before receiving assistance from Villa’s medical team. Villa manager Unai Emery will give an update on Bailey’s condition in his post-match press conference after full-time.

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Bailey had struggled at the start of the season to find the level he had shown last season, but was growing in confidence in recent weeks.

If he is injured for a period of time then it will come as a blow for Villa, who lack a like-for-like replacement for him. Jaden Philogene replaced him today, but he is different stylistically.

Villa take on RB Leipzig on Sunday before travelling to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Emery’s side will then host Manchester City on December 21 before they take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Boxing Day.

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