Leon Bailey hails Unai Emery and unveils 'details' behind Aston Villa success

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has run out of superlatives for head coach Unai Emery ahead of the Villans' crucial UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 clash away at Ajax.

The Jamaica international has thrived under Emery, especially this season. Bailey perhaps took a little while to adjust to the manager's tactics and his confidence appeared low last campaign, but he still contributed four goals and four assists in 33 Premier League matches. He then burst into life from the very start of 2023/24 and he's notched 11 goals and 11 assists in 36 matches across all competitions since.

But it's not just Bailey who has improved under the former Arsenal, PSG and Sevilla boss, with the entire squad uniting under the Spaniard's effective regime. Villa qualifying for the third most senior European competition seemed an achievement in itself but Emery has guided his team to not just one but two steps further. Champions League football is genuinely on the cards for next season if the Villans can hold onto fourth spot in the Premier League.

“Listen, he’s amazing. For me, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve worked under," Bailey said in the Ajax pre-match press conference on Wednesday. "The detail he wants from the team and structure for every game going forward is amazing. As players, to have that understanding on the pitch every game - the details are so important.

"He takes the time to ensure we know every detail before we step on the pitch. For us, it’s helped us massively as a team. I think he always wants to win and he instills that in every single player, even if you’re not a regular starter. That’s why we have players off the bench, it’s almost as if they’ve started the game as they’re so ready, understanding their role of what to do. He’s been great," Bailey continued with a smile.

Likely to start one of the biggest games in Villa's recent history, Bailey will be buzzing to play at Johan Cruijff Arena in front of over 55,000 spectators. More than 2,000 Villa fans will be in attendance but the number who have descended on Amsterdam far exceeds that. Villa kick off at the earlier time of 5.45pm on Thursday, ahead of next week's return leg at Villa Park, kicking off at 8pm.