Leon Bailey injury update ahead of Aston Villa vs Everton
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has given an update on Leon Bailey, who has been nursing a hamstring injury over the international break
Unai Emery hasn't ruled Leon Bailey out of Aston Villa's clash with Everton, but admits the winger is a doubt to feature.
Bailey suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of Villa's 2-1 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium a fortnight ago. He lunged in an attempt to block a pass, but felt his hamstring go and came off.
As a result, the 27-year-old pulled out of international duty with Jamaica after previously making himself available for the national team following the appointment of Steve McClaren as their new manager. In his press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday (5:30pm), Villa manager Emery didn't completely rule Bailey out of making the squad.
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"Leon Bailey is still a doubt for tomorrow," Emery explained. "We are going to decide with him if he is going to be with us or not."
Villa host the Toffees searching for their third win of the season and their first at home after losing 2-0 to Arsenal last month. Emery's side claimed 2-1 victories over West Ham and Leicester City in their first two trips of the campaign.
Since their return to the Premier League in 2019, Villa have remained unbeaten in all 10 of their league meetings with Everton, keeping seven clean sheets and conceding just three goals in that run. However, following a run of 15 successive home league wins from March to December 2023, Villa have since won just four of their last 12 Premier League games at Villa Park.
Villa have already been boosted with the news Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa are both fit to feature and shall be named in the matchday squad.
Opponents Everton have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games that have immediately followed an international break, including all four such matches last season.
Sean Dyche could be without up to five players through injury as Armando Broja, Youssef Chermiti, Nathan Patterson and Jarrad Branthwaite all remain sidelined while Seamus Coleman is a doubt.