Bailey’s strike gives Villa a big win
Reggae Boy Leon Bailey celebrated his return to the Aston Villa starting XI with his 10th goal of the season as the visitors produced a four-goal firsthalf blitz, to crush Sheffield United 5-0 and cruise into the top four of the English Premier League.
The 26-year-old Bailey was on target in the 20th minute – one of four goals which came inside the first half-hour at Bramall Lane on Saturday – to help condemn the hosts to the bottom of the table.
“I’m happy because we reacted very well after our defeat at home on Tuesday at Villa Park,” said Villa manager Unai Emery.
“It was important not to lose focus, don’t lose our objective, and try to be consistent and react quickly. Not everything we did was poor against Newcastle, but we had to keep being consistent like we were.
“We had to work, analyse the opponents and impose our game plan, trying to be together. Everybody was focused and ready to play.
“Today, our reaction was fantastic, and the result was fantastic.”
John McGinn set Villa on their way in the 12th minute when he slotted home from close range after Anel Ahmedhodzic scrambled Ollie Watkins’ shot off the line into his path.
Watkins was not to be denied four minutes later, however, racing onto a brilliantly weighted through-ball from Douglas Luiz and drilling a low finish in at the far post.
Bailey, restored to the starting line-up after coming off the bench against Newcastle, justified his selection when he raced down the right, spun full-back Rhys Norrington-Davies and curled a superb left-footed volley from 10 yards out into the far corner.
Youri Tielemans’ 15-yard blast put Villa 4-0 up, and Alex Moreno capped off the annihilation almost immediately on the resumption.
In League One, Reggae Boy recruit Devante Cole scored his 17th goal of his excellent season, while veteran Jamaica international Garath McCleary notched his fourth, but their clubs experienced contrasting fortunes.
Playing at Burnden Way, Cole put visitors Barnsley ahead in the fifth minute for a 1-0 half-time lead before Zac Ashworth headed in a 64th-minute equaliser to give Bolton Wanderers a share of the points.
McCleary, 36, found the target in the 29th minute, Wycombe Wanderers thrashing Cheltenham Town 3-1 at Whaddon Road, with Jack Grimmer’s 20th-minute opener and Curtis Davies’ 49thminute own goal sealing the hosts’ fate.