In a recent report, The Daily Mirror stated that Aston Villa are in a good position to recruit Luton Town ace Ross Barkley. It has been claimed that the Villans are progressing well in their efforts to land the English playmaker this summer.
Barkley’s Impressive Form At Kenilworth Road
The 30-year-old had an impressive campaign with Luton in the Premier League as he managed to put in a run of influential displays for them at the centre of the park. Barkley participated in 37 matches for the English club last season, netting five goals and grabbing six assists in various competitions.
The Liverpool-born talent has been an excellent contributor in the middle of the park based on his average of 1.5 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 1.5 clearances, 2.1 shots, 1.4 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He has even distributed the ball accurately from midfield, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 84.5% in the English first division (stats via whoscored).
Barkley has done well to prove his worth in the Premier League last season, so it is no surprise that the Villans are hoping to bring him on board ahead of the new campaign.
Should Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery Move In For Barkley?
Barkley usually works hard for his team defensively and can shoot the ball with venom and accuracy from long range. He has also got the vision to set up a few decent chances for his teammates in the final third.
The English talent did well to chip in by scoring and creating a handful of important goals for Luton last season. He mainly operates as a box-to-box midfielder but can also play in the number ten position if needed.
Barkley would undoubtedly add more quality to Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery’s midfield department. He might even help the Villans compete in the UEFA Champions League next season. Hence, Emery would be wise to move in for Barkley in this summer transfer window.
At 30, the former Everton midfield ace has still got a few good years left in him to play at a high level which makes him a good, short-term choice for the West Midlands club to pursue this summer.