Softfootball understands that Aston Villa have confirmed that Leon Bailey’s loan at AS Roma has been cut short, with the Jamaican winger back in the Premier League, following a recent report that Bailey is set to return to Aston Villa.
The clubs agreed to end the deal early, and the news was announced with a video today by the club via their official X account.
They posted:
Aston Villa can confirm that Leon Bailey has been recalled from his loan at AS Roma
Watch the video below:
Bailey’s spell in Rome, which started in summer 2025, lasted just a bit over five months, and it didn’t quite go as anyone hoped.
Bailey struggled to find his rhythm in Italy. Injuries hit him early, and when he was fit, he was often played out of position. Sometimes even as a central striker, a role that didn’t suit him at all.
Across Serie A, the Europa League, and Coppa Italia, he made only 11 appearances. Roma, who covered his full wages and had an option to buy for €22 million, decided it was better to end things early.
Reports say he never fully settled and struggled to earn the consistent trust of the coaching staff. Roma thanked him for his professionalism and wished him well, a polite farewell to a loan that never really took off.
For Villa, Bailey’s return comes at a tricky time. Manager Unai Emery is short in midfield, with Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley, and John McGinn all sidelined.
He won’t be a headline-grabbing signing, but Bailey brings familiarity with the Premier League and Emery’s system, low risk, and readiness to slot in where needed. Since joining Villa in 2021, he’s played 144 games, scoring 22 goals and assisting 24 times.
The move also links to other transfers. Villa are reportedly eyeing Tammy Abraham, who’s on loan at Besiktas, while Donyell Malen has already joined Roma. Bailey’s return might not dominate the news, but it’s a pragmatic choice, exactly what Villa need right now.
