Leon Bailey at AS Roma on loan from Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)

Leon Bailey’s agent has contradicted Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini over the player’s return to Aston Villa.

Winger Bailey returned to Villa Park from a loan at AS Roma before the January transfer window closed.

Gasperini insisted Bailey’s loan was “a real ordeal” and was ended because of a series of injuries during his time in Italy.

But his agent Craig Butler is adamant it was Villa’s decision to recall him because of injuries in their squad.

He told CVM Television: “He didn’t return to Aston Villa because Roma didn’t want him, but because the club needed him.

“They wanted him back because they needed a player of his calibre.”

Gasperini had previously said: "Unfortunately, Bailey's experience was negative for both him and us.

“He got injured on the first day of training, and from there, a real ordeal began.

“It took a long time to recover, then there were some stints, but every time he seemed ready to return fully, he relapsed.

“It was truly a shame, because he was a player we...