Leon Bailey played the full 90 minutes as Jamaica ran out 3-2 winners over Haiti, putting in a performance that may have put him in contention for a return to the Aston Villa starting XI.
The Jamaican international started the season as a key member of Unai Emery’s side, starting in matches against Newcastle United and Everton but hasn’t started a game in the Premier League since August, instead being limited to cameo appearances and starts in cup matches.
There has been no obvious place in Emery’s side for the 26-year-old because of the excellent form of Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby, while John McGinn has excelled in a more advanced role, leading many to question whether Bailey has a future at Villa Park
However, Bailey’s display for Jamaica on Monday may well have served as a reminder of just how good the winger can be when he is at his best as he scored the Reggae Boys’ third goal in the match, a strike that ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
No player on either side created more chances than Bailey’s four, with the 26-year-old causing Haiti’s defence plenty of problems with his delivery from set-pieces as well as displaying his excellent range of passing as he was accurate with 100 per cent of his four attempted long balls [Fotmob].
Although the former Leverkusen winger is mostly known for his dribbling, he was a bit more unselfish during Jamaica’s win, completing an excellent 91 per cent of 22 attempted passes, but he still carried a goal threat as he took three shots on goal
One effort was blocked, while the other two were both on target as he not only found the back of the net but also tested Johny Placide in between the Haiti posts. In terms of beating players with the ball at his feet, it was a quiet game for the Jamaican who only completed one dribble.
Although not always with the most success, Bailey worked hard in defence, making four ball recoveries and managing a single interception as he was deployed in more of a wide striker position rather than as an out-and-out winger.