News about Leon Bailey

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United star Marcus Rashford should have been sent off against Aston Villa. Rashford had just been booked for bringing down Matty Cash and then proceeded to foul Leon Bailey. The 26-year-old managed to escape without a second booking and was promptly substituted by Erik ten Hag, with Antony replacing him.

Aston Villa have made a touching tribute to club legend Gary Shaw ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The 1982 European Cup winner died at the age of 63 in September after injuring his head from a fall. Shaw made 213 appearances for his boyhood club and scored 79 goals. He is regarded as one of Villa's best forwards in the club's 150-year history. And tonight, ahead of a repeat of the final 42 years ago, Villa paid tribute to the iconic player by including his name on the teamsheet in the match programme.

JOE BERNSTEIN AT VILLA PARK: Unai Emery swore on TV when asked about Aston Villa's first half but it always helps to have quality options if Plan A doesn't work out. Villa's first test of juggling a midweek Champions League game with the Premier League wasn't going well when they trailed at half-time to Wolves. In response, Emery sent on 2024 Champions League finalist Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey, followed by supersub Jhon Duran and Ross Barkley - capped 33 times by England. Goals from Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Duran in the last 20 minutes then pushed Villa into a top-four spot.

The Jamaican FA have suspended Leon Bailey, citing comments he made savaging the national team set-up on a podcast months ago. The suspension, despite Bailey refusing a Copa America call-up anyway, comes days after the attacker was filmed enjoying his summer, dancing the night away on stage alongside a man strangely in full cricket pads. The 26-year-old had hit out at the lack of professionalism in the set up, telling the Let's Be Honest podcast: 'A lot of people haven't really thought about it from my point of view, how it is for me being Leon Bailey, playing for the national team that's nowhere close to an England for professionalism or anything like that. I'm used to a professional lifestyle.'

The Premier League has been littered with lightning-quick players since its inception in 1992, and the 2023-24 campaign has proved no exception. Here, Mail Sport runs through the fastest players on each of the Premier League teams and their quickest performances - and be warned, there are quite a few shocks below.

Villa's UEFA Conference League semi-final match against Olympiacos on May 2 was delayed after the incident happened on the stroke of half time , with fans evacuated from the lower stand of the Holte End at Villa Park. Josh Moseley was the fan who had collapsed, and received emergency CPR from fellow Villa fan Heidi Elliott before more paramedics arrived at the scene. The two had never met before. Supporters dispersed from the area after the PA system urged them to clear the space to allow treatment to take place, with Elliott snapped by another fan, who called for her to be recognised for her efforts.

Leon Bailey had to be held back from Aston Villa team-mate Ollie Watkins during Monday's draw with Liverpool.  Unai Emery's men took a step closer to Champions League football next season as two late goals saw them draw 3-3 at Villa Park.  Liverpool raced into a 3-1 lead early in the second half after a superb header by Jarell Quansah for his first Premier League goal. 

Prince William looked delighted as he took his place in one of the executive boxes at Villa Park on Thursday evening for Aston Villa's Europa Conference League semi-final clash against Greek visitors Olympiacos. The royal was seen actively engaging in conversations with those around him and pointed out various things happening inside the ground prior to kick-off before taking his seat.

JOE BERNSTEIN AT VILLA PARK: Not only is Ollie Watkins in the running to win a Golden Boot, he's also the leading assist-maker in the Premier League this season. Aston Villa's comeback win cemented their position in fourth and although Watkins wasn't on the scoresheet himself, he created match-winning goals in the second half for Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey. Significantly, they were both greeted by fans singing the name of the England striker rather than either of the scorers.

LILLE 2-1 ASTON VILLA (agg 3-3, aet, 3-4 on pens) - TOM COLLOMOSSE IN LILLE: Emi Martinez might be the world's best goalkeeper but the Aston Villa star is also the greatest wind-up merchant on the planet. Martinez's brilliant saves in the penalty shoot-out knocked out Lille and sent Villa to their first European semi-final since 1982. But Goodness me, do we really need the ridiculous antics that go with it? Martinez was booked during the shoot-out - his second of the game after being penalised for running down the clock in the first half. He was not sent off only because yellow cards issued in general play do not carry through when the game reaches penalties. It seems unlikely Martinez knew this rule, given his panicked gestures when referee Ivan Kruzliak approached.

Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier pulled off an incredible double save to deny Aston Villa in their Conference League quarter-final tie. Villa saved their place in the competition with a late aggregate equaliser from Matty Cash, forcing the game into extra time in France with Lille winning 2-1 on the night. The visitors thought they had taken the lead just before the break in extra time when Leon Bailey's effort was parried by Chevalier into the path of Douglas Luiz, but the midfielder's header was spectacularly stopped by the Frenchman.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez appeared to be sent off during his side's penalty shootout against Lille - only to remain on the pitch due to a little-known rule before helping his side to victory. The Argentina goalkeeper, who was booed by Lille fans after his antics in the World Cup final shootout against France, was warned by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak before he was shown a second yellow card. A bizarre rule, however, meant he was allowed to remain on the pitch for the rest of the shootout and was the hero once again as he guided Villa into the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes one result could come back to haunt the Gunners this season in their pursuit of their first Premier League title in two decades. Mikel Arteta's men relinquished top spot over the weekend after losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa, with late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins handing Arsenal their first league defeat in 2024. Defending champions Manchester City are now in the ascendancy in the title race having moved two points clear of Arsenal and Liverpool - who were also beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has scored more non-penalty goals than any other player in the division. The 28-year-old has been in imperious form this term, having seen his performances dramatically improve after the appointment of Unai Emery in October 2022. Villa moved ahead of Tottenham after a 2-0 win against Arsenal on Sunday, with goals from Leon Bailey and Watkins - which took his tally to 19. The England international's total is made all the more impressive by the fact he has not taken a penalty this season.

Gary Neville and Paul Merson both took issue with one Arsenal star after their 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa - as the former said he was 'the problem' in the team.  The Gunners were dealt a massive blow in the title race at the Emirates on Sunday as two late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins consigned them to a fifth defeat of the season to hand Manchester City the initiative at the top of the table. Manager Mikel Arteta made a handful of changes to his usual XI, opting to switch Kai Havertz from forward to central midfield, while Leandro Trossard came in to start on the left hand side with no space for Jorginho.

Bukayo Saka was mocked by fans for limping again during a big game after dropping a 'stinker' during Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Aston Villa.  The England winger played the full 90 minutes of Arsenal's agonising defeat at the Emirates that deals a hammer blow to their title chances, with Manchester City taking the initiative after Liverpool also lost at home to Crystal Palace.  The Gunners missed the chance to go top of the table as Unai Emery's men struck late to seal shock victory - with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins scoring in the final ten minutes of the game.  

Piers Morgan has identified Cristiano Ronaldo as a player who would 'score 25+ goals' for Arsenal after their disappointing 2-0 loss to Aston Villa. The Gunners have been one of the leading contenders to win their first Premier League title since 2003-04 after a strong campaign under boss Mikel Arteta, but their agonising home defeat to the Villans brought a reality check.  Arsenal were frustrated by Unai Emery's men, who shocked the home faithful with two late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins to hand the initiative in the title race to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. 

Former England striker Alan Shearer says there is no doubt that Ollie Watkins will be a member of Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024. The Aston Villa striker continued his fine form with a sumptuous finish in Sunday's shock 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.  Unai Emery's side produced a brilliant display in north London with Watkins wrapping up the three points minutes shortly Leon Bailey had broken the deadlock in the 84th minute.

Arsenal fans have been left stunned by Oleksandr Zinchenko's defending during their 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday. The Gunners missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League as they fell to late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins . Mikel Arteta 's side were uncharacteristically poor defensively and gave up three big chances at the Emirates - more than half as many as they had conceded in the previous 11 league fixtures.

ISAAN KHAN AT THE EMIRATES: Aston Villa tightened their grip on securing a Champions League spot after they claimed a 2-0 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  After neither team could break the deadlock, with Youri Tielemans rattling the bar in the second half, substitute Leon Bailey would get the beakthrough for the Villans, thumping a low strike into the bottom-left corner.  Unai Emery's side doubled their lead just two minutes later, with Ollie Watkins breaking through Arsenal's defence before dinking the ball over David Raya to seal victory.

Paul Merson is adamant Arsenal have blown their chances of winning the Premier League after suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa . The former Gunners midfielder lamented the efforts of Ben White and Kai Havertz after watching his old side go down to goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins .Defeat left Arsenal two points behind Manchester City . Mikel Arteta's side's title aspirations had earlier been given a boost by Liverpool's defeat to Crystal Palace .

ARSENAL 0-2 ASTON VILLA: Unai Emery's Aston Villa severely dented Arsenal's Premier League title bid as two late goals gave them a deserved 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. In yet another twist in the run-in, the Gunners were well beaten as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck within three minutes of one another to stun the home fans. Liverpool had lost at Crystal Palace earlier on Sunday and a fifth league defeat of the campaign for Arsenal leaves Mikel Arteta's side in second - two points behind reigning champions Manchester City.

Former Tottenham striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has poked fun at Arsenal after their damaging 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa . Mikel Arteta 's were hoping to return to the Premier League summit and had been buoyed by Liverpool 's loss earlier in the day, but they were undone by goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins . The Gunners were also looking to dispel any lingering memories of their collapse in the final weeks of last season, when they surrendered a commanding position and finished five-points behind Manchester City .

ISAAN KHAN AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: It may have been a pivotal weekend in the title race, with Mikel Arteta's side failing to make good their opportunity to go two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, following their 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa.  Leon Bailey smashed a thumping low effort into the bottom left corner of the goal in the 83rd minute of the match after Arsenal failed to deal with Lucas Digne's ball that flew across the face of the goal.  Ollie Watkins would return three minutes later to score a sensational breakaway goal, dinking the ball over David Raya to seal the victory. Aston Villa could have sealed victory earlier in the second half after Youri Tielemans smashed a long-range effort against the cross bar.