Aston Villa started their 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday, with Unai Emery’s men clinging onto a point after going down to 10 men.
It was an underwhelming start for the Villa Park outfit, who have been punching above their weight in the Premier League under Unai Emery in recent seasons.
Emery’s Aston Villa team selection for the clash with Newcastle was interesting, with one man who did not feature seemingly on the verge of leaving the Birmingham-based club.
Unai Emery looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League clash between RB Leipzig and Aston Villa.
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Leon Bailey set for Roma loan
Emery did not use winger Leon Bailey in his match-day squad for Saturday’s fixture, as the former Bayer Leverkusen man appears to have one foot out the Villa door.
Gazzetta Dello Sport state the 28-year-old’s move to Roma is ‘done’, with the Jamaica international set to move to the Italian capital initially on a season-long loan deal.
The Italian newspaper states Roma will pay Villa a loan fee of just over €2 million (£1.7m), with the Serie A outfit having the option to sign Bailey permanently next summer for €23 million (£19.8m).
Bailey is set to arrive in Rome on Monday to finalise the deal and complete his move to the Giallorossi.
Villa lose speed and direct running
Bailey’s time at Villa has been blighted by inconsistency, with the 28-year-old having strong spells in Birmingham before going off the boil.
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
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The winger played 24 times for the Villans in the Premier League last season, but only contributed one goal and two assists.
This was a significant drop-off from the 2023-24 campaign, where Bailey scored 10 Premier League goals and provided nine assists.
A move elsewhere feels like the best option for all parties, however Villa certainly could have used the transfer fee this summer to reinvest in new players.
Bailey’s departure does rob Emery and the club of a direct-running winger – something that could have been useful in Saturday’s draw with Newcastle, where Villa struggled to break down an organised opponent.