Leon Bailey rejects Aston Villa suggestion after Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio transfers
Leon Bailey isn’t concerned about increased competition for places in the Aston Villa squad, insisting that the team’s objective always comes first.
Unai Emery signed three new attackers in the winter window by loaning in Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio after Donyell Malen joined from Borussia Dortmund for £20m.
Bailey was preferred on the right wing to Jaden Philogene in the first half of the season, before Villa opted to cash in on the former Hull City man.
READ MORE :Aston Villa can seal Jack Grealish reunion after Man City stance emerges
READ MORE :Marco Asensio has made his Aston Villa intentions crystal clear
But the Jamaica international now faces fresh competition with Rashford and Asensio making impressive starts, while Malen has also caught the eye.
Rashford has made six appearances since joining on loan from Manchester United, and since his debut on February 9, he has created more chances in all competitions than any other Premier League player (13).
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Asensio, meanwhile, has scored braces in successive home matches against Chelsea and then Cardiff City in the FA Cup last time out.
Bailey recorded his second assist of the season in the 2-0 win, picking Asensio out to double Villa’s lead on Friday night.
“There’s always competition but that’s not the most important thing,” Bailey said when asked about Emery’s exciting forward options. “I think the most important thing is being able to play well together.
“It doesn’t matter who it is up front and I think that’s the main thing that we need to consider, not the competition that’s here.
“We know we all have talent and we are all good players and we can contribute. But, at the same time, can you contribute while playing together?
“I think that’s something we’ve been more focused on and so far it’s been working and it’s good to see. When you play more with the players consistently, people get to know each other better and faster.
“I think it’s going well so far and hopefully it can click in every moment that we need it to click.”
Asked if the competition daunts him, Bailey replied: “No, I don’t think that’s ever the focus. I think that’s more so for the media. That’s for you guys to think. But honestly, we as the players, we don’t think like that.
“We’re all on the same team, we all have the same objective and the same goal. For us, as I said before, it’s more about gelling together, playing well together.
“Whoever is on the pitch, making sure that the connection is there. Because that’s the only way we’re going to win the game. Not by trying to compete with your own teammate. We don’t think like that.
“The main objective for us is to be able to gel well together. If it’s not working for me, we know that we have somebody strong as well to be able to come on and bring a better impact.
“As I said, that’s the only way we know how to do it because we want to win games. That’s the only way I know.”
Villa are now one win away from Wembley and will be pulled out of the hat for the quarter-final draw after Manchester United’s fifth round tie against Fulham on Sunday night.
“Not just for the fans, for the team,” Bailey said about the incentive of heading to Wembley. “It’s going to be amazing if we can get it done and we are able to bring the fans, family members, everybody to Wembley.
“But we don’t just want to be at Wembley, we want to win at Wembley. That’s the focus and that’s the challenge in front of us.
“We really want to get a trophy this year. So that’s the main target and the main focus for us.”
Join our Aston Villa WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click on this link and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. It’s a free service. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from our Villa writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Villa news. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click ‘Exit Group’. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. Click here to read our Privacy Notice
Unai Emery has an embarrassment of riches in his attack after signing Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen in the winter window
Aston Villa can seal Jack Grealish reunion after Man City stance emerges
Marco Asensio has made his Aston Villa intentions crystal clear
Ollie Watkins transfer twist as Aston Villa linked with summer raid for £50m Arsenal target
Aston Villa ‘make enquiry’ for £55m talent who will seal summer transfer
Why Roy Keane left Aston Villa – ‘I just couldn’t be bothered’
Marks & Spencer reduces ‘comfy dress’ that gets ‘loads of compliments’ to just £16
Drivers urged to remember three documents they ‘must’ carry in car
Aston Villa linked defender ready to complete transfer to keep England dream alive
I almost cried when I signed for Aston Villa – this is the first thing Unai Emery told me
The big summer transfer decisions facing Aston Villa as Monchi hopes for £35m boost
What Aston Villa players think of Marcus Rashford as the scale of his impact is revealed
Marcus Rashford has embarrassed Man United at Aston Villa after doing two things
Aston Villa face Marco Asensio transfer decision as route back to Spain emerges
‘This is crucial’ – Aston Villa owners handed desperate plea as open letter reaches NSWE
Aston Villa dealt major Marcus Rashford blow as Man Utd transfer decision made
Aston Villa transfers as Unai Emery found ‘ideal replacement’ in Champions League upset
Aston Villa receive new referee verdict as Liverpool told red card mistake made
Aston Villa linked with exciting transfer for midfielder compared to N’Golo Kante
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa predicted XI – Marcus Rashford call and injury worries
How to watch Club Brugge v Aston Villa in Champions League – TV channel, livestream, kick-off time
I’ll avoid April Energy Price Cap rise after following Martin Lewis tip
What Club Brugge manager said about Aston Villa and Marcus Rashford didn’t shock me
© 2025 a Reach plc subsidiary
What do you make of Bailey’s comments? Tell us here
The latest Villa headlines sent straight to your phone
Follow Birmingham Live on socials:
Get the latest Birmingham Live breaking news on WhatsApp
READ NEXT
BAILEY HAPPY TO FIGHT FOR VILLA PLACE: CAN WE ALL PLAY TOGETHER?
The Jamaica winger insists he’s happy to compete for a place alongside January arrivals Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen.
Bailey said, “There is always competition, but that is not the most important thing. I think the most important thing is to be able to play well together.
“It doesn’t matter who is in front and I think that is the main thing we have to consider, not the competition that is here. We know that we all have talent and we are good players and we can contribute.
“But at the same time, can we contribute by playing together?”
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
List of Partners (vendors)
We Care About Your Privacy
We and our partners process data to provide:
MOST READ
RELATED ARTICLES
Villa youngster Brannigan amazed by Rashford: Absolutely ridiculous
Everton, Villa eyeing Club Brugge defender Ordonez
Man Utd boss Amorim willing to oversee sale of FIVE senior players
Aston Villa star shares true Marcus Rashford feelings after club-wide ban
Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey has welcomed the arrival of Marcus Rashford – even it means more competition for places.
Bailey, 27, has been joined in the Midlands by the Manchester United loanee to give Villa boss Unai Emery a gluttony of options in attack. Rashford wasn’t the only forward who arrived in January, as they also signed Donyell Malen for £20million and loaned in Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa’s increased squad depth gives them greater scope to challenge for the FA Cup and Champions League, and Bailey is excited to compete with Rashford, whose high-profile arrival has already had shaken things up off the pitch. There’s been so much clamour since the United star’s move that Villa have reportedly imposed a ban on journalists asking their players questions about Rashford, who can be signed permanently for £40m in the summer.
“There’s always competition but that’s not the most important thing,” Bailey said via the Birmingham Mail. “I think the most important thing is being able to play well together.
“It doesn’t matter who it is up front and I think that’s the main thing that we need to consider, not the competition that’s here. We know we all have talent and we are all good players and we can contribute. But, at the same time, can you contribute while playing together?
“I think that’s something we’ve been more focused on and so far it’s been working and it’s good to see. When you play more with the players consistently, people get to know each other better and faster. I think it’s going well so far and hopefully it can click in every moment that we need it to click.”
Should Aston Villa sign Marcus Rashford permanently for £40million? Have your say in the comments section.
The Jamaican winger was asked whether he felt daunted by the task of competing with Rashford, Asensio and Malen. “No, I don’t think that’s ever the focus,” Bailey replied. “I think that’s more so for the media. That’s for you guys to think. But honestly, we as the players, we don’t think like that.
“We’re all on the same team, we all have the same objective and the same goal. For us, as I said before, it’s more about gelling together, playing well together. Whoever is on the pitch, making sure that the connection is there. Because that’s the only way we’re going to win the game.
“Not by trying to compete with your own team-mate. We don’t think like that. The main objective for us is to be able to gel well together. If it’s not working for me, we know that we have somebody strong as well to be able to come on and bring a better impact.
“As I said, that’s the only way we know how to do it because we want to win games. That’s the only way I know.”
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Can United mount a title challenge? Get our FREE daily Manchester United email newsletter
