Aston Villa stance clear on Leon Bailey as Unai Emery rejects loan recall

Aston Villa have no intention of cutting short Leon Bailey’s season-long loan at AS Roma, with Unai Emery making it clear the club’s stance has not changed despite the winger’s difficult start in Italy.

Reports in Italy have suggested Roma are considering terminating the loan early as they look to reshape their attacking options, but Villa remain committed to the original plan agreed in the summer.

Aston Villa sent Leon Bailey to AS Roma on a season-long loan that includes an option to buy for around £19m.

However, Roma are not currently planning to trigger that clause and are understood to be exploring the possibility of ending the loan early to free up space for new signings.

Despite that, Emery has shut down any suggestion of a recall.

“My opinion and our decision in the summer is now the same,” Emery said.

“We must keep him playing in Rome. He has had some injuries, and we have followed him in his process. Our idea is still the same – to be on loan there.”

Bailey’s time in Rome has not unfolded as hoped. An injury suffered during his first training session set the tone for a frustrating opening to the campaign, and he has struggled to build momentum since.

The winger has started just one Serie A match and has made only 10 appearances across all competitions, accumulating a total of 237 minutes. That lack of rhythm has limited his impact and contributed to Roma’s reassessment of their attacking options.

Even so, Villa have continued to monitor his situation closely and believe regular exposure to Serie A football remains the best route for Bailey to regain sharpness.

From Villa’s perspective, recalling Bailey mid-season would offer little benefit. Emery and his staff see value in maintaining continuity rather than disrupting the loan, particularly given the injuries that have stalled the winger’s progress.

There is also a wider strategic element. Villa are competing across multiple fronts and have already planned their squad balance accordingly. Bringing Bailey back without a clear role would solve little in the short term.

Roma, meanwhile, remain focused on strengthening their forward line, and Bailey’s future in Italy may depend on how their January business develops.

For now, Bailey is expected to stay in Rome for the remainder of the season, with Villa resisting any move to bring him back early. Attention will likely shift to the summer, when Roma must decide whether to pursue a permanent deal and Villa reassess the winger’s long-term future.

Is Aston Villa right to show patience with Leon Bailey’s Roma loan, or should they be preparing for a different outcome in the summer?