View: Aston Villa is where Ross Barkley can rediscover his star potential
Aston Villa have a knack to make players struggling for form into some of the best players in the Premier League and they could do it again.
The Mirror reported on 18 July that Chelsea had offered Ross Barkley to both the Villans and Frank Lampard’s Everton after Villa turned down the chance to make a loan deal during the 202-21 season into a permanent switch.
He barely featured for the Blues last season though, making just half a dozen appearances and now Thomas Tuchel wants him out of his squad at Stamford Bridge.
It might seem like a strange move if Aston Villa do go out and sign him but he proved at times during his previous spell in the Midlands that he can make the impact required.
Something he often does that isn’t really mentioned all that much is how he can ghost into an area unmarked which he did to perfection as he scored the winner for Villa away at Southampton two seasons ago.
Taking up that awkward space between midfield and defence, the England international manages to not only find himself a gap but also have the awareness to direct a header into the opposite corner to seal a crucial three points.
He again showed his star quality as the Villans went to the Emirates and stuffed Arsenal 3-0 in misty London conditions by drifting wide and being picked out by Douglas Luiz.
The closer he got to the byline, the less likely a shot was and he was able to recognise that and perform a pinpoint cross for Ollie Watkins on the volley to double the lead at the time.
That kind of individual brilliance is also what earned Villa a late victory away at Leicester City in the same season as Barkley unleashed a shot from so far out the goalkeeper wasn’t even in view from the TV cameras.
Fans may not see the 28-year-old as the signature signing they were hoping for but he can still improve Steven Gerrard’s squad if he is available at the right price.
In other Aston Villa news, one of the club’s academy players has left to join rivals Birmingham City.