‘More important’: Steven Gerrard admits he really didn’t want to sub off 25-year-old Aston Villa player yesterday

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Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that he didn’t want to substitute Leon Bailey against Chelsea.

Speaking to Birmingham Live after the match, Gerrard said Bailey had to be substituted due to fitness issues.

After going four matches unbeaten, Villa fell to a 2-0 defeat yesterday, thanks to a brace from Mason Mount.

He was gifted the first goal after a mistake from Tyrone Mings in the first five minutes.

Mount then doubled his tally with a long-range free kick that Emi Martinez will be wondering if he could have done better with.

Bailey started the match as part of a front three with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

Villa’s forwards all had chances but were thwarted by a fantastic performance from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Gerrard’s admission that he didn’t want to substitute Bailey is both a positive and negative.

It’s good that the Jamaican international is starting is playing so well, but his fitness is still a concern.

Gerrard didn’t want to substitute Bailey yesterday

Gerrard was asked about Bailey after the Chelsea clash and said: “Medical advice for Leon was 30 (minutes) or 60 tops.

“Leon has been one of our brightest players this year and I decided to go with the 60 rather than the 30.

“In a selfish world, I didn’t really want to take him off but Leon’s health, body and medical advice is more important to what I want at that moment.”

Bailey missed more than two months of matches last season with a thigh injury.

However, he’s been involved in every Premier League match this season, although he rarely plays 90 minutes.

Bailey has only scored once this season and provided one assist, but his teammates are all struggling in front of goal right now.

Gerrard was really happy with Bailey’s ‘quality’ when he scored against Manchester City last month.

Gerrard will be hoping Bailey can show that again soon, and won’t have to substitute him early due to his fitness.

Especially when out-of-form Philippe Coutinho is one of Gerrard’s options off the bench right now.

Garth Crooks believes the Brazilian has ‘lost interest’ at Villa Park after his permanent move in the summer.