Why Ross Barkley has become new Aston Villa specialist for Unai Emery

Ross Barkley will be rubbing his hands together as Aston Villa prepare to take on Bournemouth.

The Villans travel south on Wednesday evening as they take on the Cherries in the Carabao Cup.

Unai Emery will want domestic success after the Europa League triumph, and are at the last 16 stage.

After beating Manchester City 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday, Villa are riding a very high wave.

Nicolas Jackson and Johan Manzambi are on fire right now, but it could be a very different Villa side at the Vitality Stadium.

And Barkley could be at the heart of it.

Is Ross Barkley the new Aston Villa maestro?

When you look at the current midfield at Villa Park, it's working perfectly.

Having lost Youri Tielemans and replacing him with Joao Gomes, the Villans are harder to break down and have more physicality.

If you think that means they lost that creativity, you'd be wrong, with Manzambi having more influence further forward.

Barkley is also used effectively off the bench in the Premier League, but in other competitions, he's a guaranteed starter.

Take his last three starts, for example, against Coventry in the Carabao Cup, as well as Viking and Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

In that time, he's scored four and assisted another three - unbelievable.

What makes Barkley so special?

There aren't many around with the natural talent of Barkley, it was on show immediately when he burst onto the scene at Everton.

He comes off the bench every week in the Premier League, but has only completed 68 minutes in his last four appearances.

Barkley has impeccable shooting, and when getting extra space against tired oppostion, he takes advantage, with his four goals in those three starts coming from seven shots and an expected goal total of only 1.23.

His passing is even better.

Against Coventry in the previous round of the cup, he completed 67 of his 72 passes as he buzzed around the pitch from holding midfield.

With two key passes and a big chance created in that one, it'll be down to him again to try and take this Villa side into the quarter finals.

He did the same against Fenerbahce too, with two key passes and another assist.

It's very clear that Emery hands him that added responsibility which allows him to rotate his key options outside of the Premier League.

Barkey has become that specialist for his manager, and he's loving it.