Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Wed 8 April 2026 9:10, UK

Aston Villa are likely to be bitterly regretting not including Ross Barkley in their Europa League squad after his surprise resurgence in recent weeks.

The 32-year-old is fighting fit after missing a significant chunk of the campaign, having been ruled out through injury between November 2025 and early February.

Barkley was slowly eased back in before being given his first Premier League start of the season against Manchester United on March 15, in which he scored in the 3-1 loss.

He retained his spot in Unai Emery’s XI for the 2-0 victory against West Ham United last time out, and despite not netting on that occasion, he delivered another strong performance.

Villa will next travel to Bologna for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday night, but they will be without Barkley in Italy after his omission.

Aston Villa will miss Ross Barkley vs Bologna

Barkley missed out on the Europa League squad at the start of the season. While that was not a surprise at the time, especially in light of Villa’s depth, he was given a brief reprieve.

However, despite injuries ravaging Emery’s midfield in recent months, Barkley replaced Tyrone Mings in the squad during the league phase before being promptly removed.

Villa were only able to name 21 players who aren’t club-trained, meaning one first-teamer had to miss out. On two different occasions, Barkley has been the one to make way.

In the top-flight, the 32-year-old looks set to play a crucial role in Villa’s Champions League qualification fight, so it is a cruel twist that he cannot play any part in Europe.

This term, he has made 14 top-flight appearances, scoring twice. According to Sofascore, Barkley has created seven chances and registered an 87.6 per cent pass accuracy.

Showcasing his creative prowess, he has also been successful with over 70 per cent of his attempted long balls, while his 66.7 per dribble success rate has carried Villa up the pitch.

Barkley has been combative, too, winning 59.3 per cent of his total duels.

Villa could have done with another of these dynamic, all-round performances against Bologna this week, but they will instead have to make do without him.

Aston Villa Europa League squad:

• Goalkeepers: Emi Martinez, Marco Bizot
• Defenders: Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Andres Garcia, Ian Maatsen
• Midfielders: John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana
• Forwards: Harvey Elliott, Emi Bundia, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Tammy Abraham

Whether they will come to regret that decision remains to be seen.

What’s next for Barkley?

Barkley’s eye-catching performance against United at Old Trafford looks to have been the sliding doors moment he had been waiting for since returning to Villa in 2024.

Clearly, Emery has been impressed by his efforts, and he won’t be too disappointed to have him fit and ready to go against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.

Barkley’s Villa contract will run until 2027, leaving him with a short space of time to prove to the club’s hierarchy – and his head coach – that he deserves a new deal.

It hasn’t quite happened for him at Villa Park, but his recent displays hint that he has turned a corner. He will just be disappointed he won’t be able to work his magic in Bologna this week.