Leon Bailey is preparing to sign a new contract with Aston Villa.

Since December, discussions over a new contract have been ongoing, with Bailey eager to commit to Villa for the long term.

Bailey’s current contract, which expires in June 2025, was signed when he joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2021 for around £30 million (now $37.7 million).

The 26-year-old suffered with injuries in his first season at Villa Park, earning only seven Premier League starts and 11 substitute appearances in 2021-22. He appeared more frequently last season under Steven Gerrard and subsequently Unai Emery, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 33 league games.

This season, however, has been Bailey’s most fruitful at Villa, with 10 goals in all competitions, trailing only Ollie Watkins’ 16 at the West Midlands club.

Bailey had represented Belgian club Genk before joining Leverkusen in 2017. He scored 39 goals in 156 games for the German club before moving to Villa.

Bailey has made 30 appearances for Jamaica since making his senior debut in 2019.

Leon Bailey | Aston Villa’s most menacing forward

Bailey’s importance to Villa has grown during the winter months, with head coach Unai Emery looking to improve the Jamaican’s consistency away from home.

Bailey has emerged as Villa’s most dangerous forward, with a goal or assist per 78 minutes this season.

“His potential is amazing,” adds Emery. “He’s improving gradually, and he’s willing to listen and learn. “When we play at home, we watch him and think, ‘Wow, what a player’.”

Bailey has mostly played on the right wing this season, scoring 10 goals and adding nine assists in 31 games. In Villa’s 4-2-2-2 style, the Jamaican’s pace has served as an important outlet in transition, stretching play alongside Watkins.