Leon Bailey’s agent Craig Butler has insisted his client returned to Aston Villa for sporting reasons.
The representative spoke to CVM Television about the winger and Giallorossi.net have relayed his comments.
Last summer, Aston Villa allowed the 28-year-old to join AS Roma on loan with an option to buy.
The Jamaica international’s arrival initially created a buzz in Italy before he suffered an injury in training. He spent close to two months on the sidelines and suffered further injury blows in the first half of this season.
Bailey ended up playing 317 minutes from 11 matches in all competitions, failing to score and contributing just one assist. Unai Emery’s side recalled him from his temporary spell in January.
On January 21st, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Emery convinced him to return to Villa Park in the winter market. There have been claims in Italy that Gian Piero Gasperini rejected the Aston Villa man. Therefore, he had to return to the Premier League side.
Butler has now denied the Roma rejection claims. He has also set the record straight that it was Aston Villa who wanted him back at Villa Park in January.
“He didn’t return to Aston Villa because Roma didn’t want him, but because the English club needed him,” he said.
Aston Villa player has ‘never been better’
Aston Villa's Leon Bailey, whilst on loan at AS Roma
Rome, Italy 23th October 2025: Leon Bailey of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 football match between AS Roma vs Viktoria Plzeň at the Olimpico Stadium
There were suggestions of the English club sending him out on loan again in the recently concluded window. De Telegraaf reported of Ajax exploring the possibility of securing the attacker’s services in the recently concluded window.
Bailey didn’t leave Aston Villa and Emery handed him minutes in the last two games. The agent now insists his client is pleased to have returned to the Premier League side.
“He’s never been better. They recalled him because they needed a player of his calibre,” Butler explained.
Once again from Butler, those are big words leaving his client a lot to live up to.