Jamaica international, Leon Bailey, insists he feels at home at new club Aston Villa after an impressive cameo against Everton on Saturday.
Since joining the Clarets from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the transfer window, Bailey has been used sparingly in the team’s line-up and is yet to start a match. Against Everton, however, he gave fans a hint of what could be in store for this season with a match-changing introduction.
Bailey entered the pitch in the 61st minute and had almost an immediate impact on proceedings. After Matty Cash’s thunderous shot put the hosts ahead in the 66th minute, Bailey’s viciously swung corner was headed into the back of his own net by Lucas Digne.
The Jamaican then got his first goal for Villa in fine style after sprinting on from the halfway line to a long ball provided by Danny Ings and crashing his shot into the net past a stranded Everton keeper Asmir Begović. Things, however, ended on a worrying note for Bailey who had to be substituted in the 82nd minute after going down with an injury. The change was later revealed to be more of a precaution.
“To have the fans chanting my name when I was going on, it was such an amazing feeling. Words can’t even explain. The fans were great tonight, it was perfect for me to get the goal for them tonight. I feel welcome as a Villa player,” Bailey said following the match.
“I was just excited to get on the pitch, and I delivered, it was a perfect night,” he added.
As for the injury, the player did not think it was that serious.
“It might have been from hitting the ball, maybe I hit it too hard. I just felt a little stiff in my quad, but I don’t think it’s anything serious. So instead of risking it, I just decided to come out instead of risking it. We have a lot of games coming up.”