Leon Bailey’s agent has pushed back strongly against claims made by Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, insisting the winger’s early return to Aston Villa was driven by Villa’s needs rather than problems during his loan spell in Italy.
Bailey returned to Villa Park before the January transfer window closed, ending a short and difficult stint at Roma that had been publicly described by Gasperini as “a real ordeal”.
Agent disputes Roma version of events
Speaking after Bailey’s recall, Gasperini suggested the decision was largely due to a succession of injuries that prevented the Jamaica international from making a sustained impact in Serie A.
However, Bailey’s agent Craig Butler has offered a sharply contrasting account, stating that the recall was initiated by Aston Villa rather than Roma.
“He didn’t return to Aston Villa because Roma didn’t want him, but because the club needed him,” — Craig Butler, speaking to CVM Television
Butler added that Villa moved to bring Bailey back as injuries mounted within Unai Emery’s squad.
“They wanted him back because they needed a player of his calibre,” — Craig Butler
Gasperini had described loan as ‘real ordeal’
Gasperini had previously painted a bleak picture of Bailey’s time in Rome, pointing to repeated fitness setbacks that disrupted any chance of momentum.
“Unfortunately, Bailey’s experience was negative for both him and us. He got injured on the first day of training, and from there, a real ordeal began,” — Gian Piero Gasperini
The Roma coach explained that each attempted return ended in further problems, culminating in another setback late in the loan spell.
“It took a long time to recover, then there were some stints, but every time he seemed ready to return fully, he relapsed,” — Gian Piero Gasperini
Gasperini suggested that Bailey’s status as a loan player influenced the final call.
“Being a player on loan, it’s clear that this decision was made. Perhaps if he had been a Roma player, we would probably have moved on,” — Gian Piero Gasperini
Villa recall reframes Bailey situation
Butler’s comments reframe the narrative, portraying Bailey’s return not as a failure of the loan but as a reflection of his value to Villa. With injuries affecting Emery’s options out wide, the winger’s recall was positioned as a practical solution rather than a rejection.
Bailey has since rejoined the Villa squad and is expected to compete for minutes as the club navigates a demanding run of fixtures.
Key Insights
- Leon Bailey returned early from his Roma loan in January
- Gasperini cited injuries as the main reason for ending the loan
- Bailey’s agent insists Aston Villa requested his return
- Villa injuries were a key factor in the decision
- Conflicting accounts have emerged from both camps
What’s Next
Bailey will now look to rebuild momentum at Aston Villa, where he is familiar with the system and coaching staff. His fitness and availability over the coming weeks could determine how significant a role he plays in Emery’s plans, while Roma are likely to reassess their loan strategy in future windows.
Was Bailey’s Roma loan always doomed by injuries, or does his recall highlight Aston Villa’s growing reliance on his experience and quality?
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