In a recent interview after Aston Villa‘s 0-0 draw versus Brighton and Hove Albion, Dean Smith remained positive about his loan signing Ross Barkley’s form and said (via Birmingham Mail),
“He’s (Barkley) been trying to get his sharpness in the games.
“He’ll be back to his best, I’m sure of it.”
Barkley’s Up And Down Loan Spell At Villa Park
The English playmaker made a dream start to his loan spell by producing two memorable displays versus Liverpool and Leicester City earlier this season. However, he suffered a hamstring injury back in November and missed a significant chunk of this campaign because of it.
Barkley has featured in 13 matches for the West Midlands club this term, netting three goals and securing one assist in the process. The 27-year-old deserves some credit for averaging 2.4 shots, 2.0 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per game in the Premier League for the Villans this season. He has even been tidy when distributing the ball from midfield after making 83% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
However, his form has come tumbling down since his return from injury as he has scored just one goal in his past seven league appearances. If Barkley fails to hit the ground running soon, Smith has every reason to be worried about his side’s chances of securing European football this season.
What Does The English Midfield Ace Offer On The Field?
Barkley is a deceptively quick midfielder who can make some clever runs with the ball towards the opponent’s penalty box. He excels at generating space for himself to get a shot in at goal and can strike the ball purely and with a lot of power.
The 33-time England international has also got the vision to pick out a killer pass in the attacking third. Plus, Barkley has proven time and time again that he can be a match-winner when he is playing well on the field. However, his poor injury record has hampered his progress both at Chelsea and now at Aston Villa, so Smith has a real decision on his hands over whether to make a move to sign him permanently at the end of this campaign.
Does Barkley Have A Future At Villa Park Beyond This Season?
Barkley’s dip in form is a significant cause for concern as the Villans need to get the best out of him if they want to maintain their high standards in Premier League football this season. At 27, the English midfield ace is currently at the prime stage of his playing career, but it’s difficult to see how he can earn a permanent move to Villa Park if his current form persists over the next few months.
