Leon Bailey says he feels like a new signing for Aston Villa this season.
Injuries restricted the 25-year-old to 18 appearances during his first campaign in claret and blue after joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2021.
But after a full pre-season and featuring in all four games so far this term, Bailey is in a good place heading into Sunday’s Premier League encounter against West Ham United.
“Physically, I feel amazing,” he said.
“Last season was a really tough one for me because from the start of my time here at Villa I’ve had difficulties with my body – not because of here but a previous injury before I came.
“Everything started off wrong and I hope I can change that this season. I want to do what I know I can do. I feel like a new player, a new signing for Villa.”
The winger added: “I trust my body way more than I did last season, and I know what I’m capable of.
“I know what I can deliver and how important I can be for the team. I feel very confident, focused and ready to keep things going by winning game after game. That’s the mentality.”
“From failure, you can take lessons. That’s something that I’ve done. I’ve done my homework, my research and everything I needed to do to make sure that this season I dominate the way I know that I can. I want to help the team as much as possible.”
Leon Bailey
Having come through adversity in his first season at the club, the Jamaican feels he is better prepared to show his ability on a regular basis in the Premier League.
He said: “I’m actually happy with how my first season went because sometimes in life you have to learn from your mistakes.
“From failure, you can take lessons. That’s something that I’ve done. I’ve done my homework, my research and everything I needed to do to make sure that this season I dominate the way I know that I can. I want to help the team as much as possible.”
Bailey got off the mark for the season on Tuesday night when he tormented a Bolton defender before showing great composure to slide the ball inside the far post.
While he was happy to net his first goal, the attacker’s main focus is helping Villa to win games.
Bailey said: “Villa fans are amazing, some of the best fans I’ve seen. They’re just awesome people, die-hard fans and you don’t get that at a lot of places.
“They’re always there every step of the way. They really show how much they want this club to go far, and it’s up to us to deliver that and really make them happy. That’s what everyone in the team and in the club is about.
“We want to go on this journey with them because they’re really important for us. We’re going to do everything possible to bring smiles to their faces game after game.”
