Ross Barkley

[OCD]

Smith likes to keep a settled side so I think he will get time. It is good to have options though and it's a sign of our development.

[Smithy]

I think we sometimes lose sight of where we've come from in such a short space of time. 

There will hopefully come a day when we wonder if players like Ross Barkley are good enough for Aston Villa - but that day is not today. He is precisely the sort of player we need as we build into a side capable of challenging regularly for the European places.  Think who would have been playing in that position a year or 18 months ago.  Barkley is light-years ahead of our previous options.

When he's fit and on form he'll be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

[SheffieldVillain]

Also handy with a snowball it seems...
https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1353681473556131841

[cdward]

The thing i like about Barkley is that him and Jack seem to be on the same wavelength. They are constatntly supporting each other and making themselves available for a pass.
The key to this team evolving is keeping Jack and building around him with better players than we have. Hence Hourihanes departure, and Ross Barkley and Morgan Sanson coming in.
I still feel Barkley is looking a little rusty, but if he can stay injury free, we could see more 7-2 type of perfomances from him.
With the managerial change at Chelsea he may (still) be surplus to requirements.

[ChicagoLion]

Not convinced another poor performance

[N'ZMAV]

Not sure Ross can handle the pace - he's clearly talented; but this high pressing and chasing game, then playing at a high tempo - not sure it's for him.

[aev]

Not sure Ross can handle the pace - he's clearly talented; but this high pressing and chasing game, then playing at a high tempo - not sure it's for him.

He looks big boned.

[Ian.]

He was superb as was the whole team first half.

[jwarry]

As others have said he’s a very good player but can he cut it with our high energy pressing game week in week out? He appeared to be blowing through his arse a couple of times which could be put down to lack of fitness following his injury, alternatively Dean knows better and brought a more suitable player in Sanson

[Clampy]

Like I said a week or so ago, I do think we look a better team with him in it and if he does look a bit rusty, it's understandable but he'll get there. I was never that much of a fan but I think he's been great. Smithy's post is spot on as well. He's fine for where we are at the moment.

[Vegas]

After a decent start, I’m not that impressed. He was ok first half in an exceptional team performance. Some nice touches but definitely seemed to slow things down most of the time. Disappeared second half, offers very little defensively, lost his man (didn’t even seem to try) for their first goal.

I wouldn’t be anywhere near him for say £30m at the end of the season. I probably wouldn’t have him in my first choice team next week, a few options I’d have a look at instead (new signing in, McGinn further forward; Jack central with Trezeguet back in)

[Mister E]

Wayward passing and an inability to keep to the required pace is letting him down right now.

[Risso]

He hasn't been very good at all since getting back in the team. He needs to shape up.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m willing to give him a break - I’m not surprised he’s rusty. I’m quite surprised he’s started every game since returning.

[aj2k77]

Possibly his position is one where we can make a first team improvement. How much would Chelsea want? £40m? Could we find better? It's a tough one.