After what has been a frustrating start to life at Aston Villa, Leon Bailey now deserves the opportunity to receive a run of regular games in Steven Gerrard's side.

With nine matches left in the Premier League season, the Villans will be looking to finish the campaign as strongly as possible in order to secure their first top-half finish at this level in 11 years.

Furthermore, Gerrard will be keen to see the season draw to a positive close in order to lay down foundations to build upon for next season, with the West Midlands club possibly investing heavily once again.

Having been one of last summer's big-money transfers when sealing a £25m move from Bayern Leverkusen, Bailey's place is by no means secure but, amid injury issues, the Jamaican now deserves the chance to improve his status in the pecking order.

Bailey deserves his chance

The 24-year-old has only made 14 appearances in the Premier League, with just four starts, in which time he has scored once and set up two goals. However, during his time at Leverkusen, the Jamaica international scored 39 goals and set up another 26 in 156 appearances, an average of one goal contribution every 2.4 matches.

At 24, the winger has bags of experience, having played in both the Champions League and Europa League, also racking up 119 Bundesliga appearances, so there is no doubt that he can still be a huge asset for Gerrard's side.

Indeed, after scoring in a 4-1 win over Hoffenheim in January 2018, his then-manager Heiko Herrlich gushed: "Leon Bailey can do anything at the moment."

Last summer, the Jamaican wasn't the only winger to join the West Midlands club, as Emi Buendia became the club's record-signing when joining from Norwich City for a whopping £38m. Unfortunately for the Argentine, there hasn't yet been much evidence of that fee being justified, with the 25-year-old scoring just twice and supplying four assists in 28 appearances.

The addition of Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona has made a huge difference, with the Brazilian already doubling Buendia's goal tally, having scored four goals in just ten Premier League appearances for the club thus far.

Coutinho's place in the team is guaranteed but Bailey could certainly pip Buendia to a regular starting spot for the remainder of the campaign. However, if the 24-year-old is to succeed in doing so, he must prove to his manager that he's fit and ready to start matches in order to show him and the Villa fans what he can do.

A strong conclusion to the campaign should certainly get Bailey's spell in the West Midlands back on track.

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