Aston Villa Confirm Signing of Ross Barkley From Chelsea on Season-Long Loan

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Ross Barkley on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Barkley has struggled to nail down a regular place in the Blues team since signing from Everton back in 2018, being lost in the rotation with some of the club's other central midfielders.

Last season he made 21 Premier League appearances, scoring three goals and laying on an assist for Frank Lampard's side.

He also featured twice for Chelsea during the current campaign, albeit as a substitute on both occasions. Barkley did play a full 90 minutes against Barnsley in the EFL Cup, scoring a goal in an emphatic 6-0 win.

Despite this, Chelsea have an abundance of options in midfield - particularly after the arrival of Bayer Leverkusen phenom Kai Havertz this summer - which has convinced Lampard to sanction Barkley's departure, albeit temporarily. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also been linked with a loan move. How Barkley's departure affects this is not yet known.

Dean Smith told the club's website: "Capturing a player of Ross’s quality is a real coup for our Club and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team."

Barkley comes into a Villa team that is full of confidence. Despite being tipped by many to struggle, the west Midlanders have won both of their opening two Premier League games. They are also one victory away from reaching the EFL Cup quarter finals - a competition they reached the final of last campaign.

This fine start to life on the pitch has also coincided with great news off of it. After years of being linked with a move to Manchester United and a host of other big clubs, captain Jack Grealish committed his future to Villa recently by signing a new five-year contract.



Source : 90min