Leon Bailey’s time at Roma has come to a premature end after he returned to Aston Villa just halfway into his loan spell.
Bailey was a surprise signing for Roma in the summer, considering they already had two high-profile left-footed attacking midfielders in the form of Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala and had an obvious need for a right-footed one to arrive. But the left-footed Bailey was chosen as a reinforcement, with hopes he could offer something more direct on the wing.
That failed to materialise. Bailey got injured in his first training session with Roma, foreshadowing how his spell in Italy would most be remembered. Physical setbacks have persisted, preventing him from making an impact.
And with Donyell Malen following his path from Aston Villa to Roma in the next transfer window and making a more immediate impression with a goal on his debut, the chances of Bailey breaking through have further diminished.
Thus, Aston Villa have agreed to take Bailey back, also in light of their own shortages in attack (which they are also trying to address with a deal for former Roma striker Tammy Abraham).
Bailey leaves Roma having made 11 appearances, just two of which were starts. He recorded two assists during his time with the club, but the only time he put the ball in the net (in the Europa League win over Celtic), the goal was disallowed for an offside.
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