Bailey’s scores winning goal for Villa

BIRMINGHAM, England:

Jamaican forward Leon Bailey netted a late winner for Aston Villa to give them a thrilling 2-1 victory over Leicester at Villa Park in the English Premier League yesterday.

Following a goalless first half, Villa opened the scoring when Ross Barkley produced a sensational strike in the 58th minute from the edge of the box for his third league goal of the campaign.

However, Leicester struck back to even the contest in the 63rd minute when Stephy Mavididi finished a rebound after Emiliano Martinez’s fine save from a close-range Jamie Vardy shot.

But 27-year-old Reggae Boyz striker Bailey ensured Villa would take all three points when he made a late run into the box to tap home substitute Ian Maatsen’s low cross in the 78th minute for his first goal of the season.

It was Bailey’s first goal since scoring in April 2024 against Bournemouth.

He almost put the contest to bed minutes later, but his driving run ended in a strike that rebounded off the underside of the bar, before Ollie Watkins smashed his rebound well over.

With the win, Villa remained eighth in the table, just four points behind Chelsea in fourth, while Leicester, which suffered their fifth straight Premier League defeat, are second from bottom, two points from safety.

– CMC