Ross Barkley

[darren woolley]

Ross played well tonight unlucky when he hit the post.

[paul_e]

Much better, should've done better for their goal but going forward he was involved, wanted the ball and was moving it on with 1-2 touches instead of the dithering that we'd been seeing for the last couple of months. This version of Barkley all season and we'd be challenging for the top 4, which is why it's bene so frustrating watching him.

[Aldridge Villa]

Better tonight but the bar hasn’t been set particularly high over the last few months has it. Credit where credit is due mind.

[nigel]

Much better, should've done better for their goal but going forward he was involved, wanted the ball and was moving it on with 1-2 touches instead of the dithering that we'd been seeing for the last couple of months. This version of Barkley all season and we'd be challenging for the top 4, which is why it's bene so frustrating watching him.

Would you take the risk on him, mate?
Have to admit, if we could get him for £20m I’d be tempted

[paul_e]

Much better, should've done better for their goal but going forward he was involved, wanted the ball and was moving it on with 1-2 touches instead of the dithering that we'd been seeing for the last couple of months. This version of Barkley all season and we'd be challenging for the top 4, which is why it's bene so frustrating watching him.

Would you take the risk on him, mate?
Have to admit, if we could get him for £20m I’d be tempted

Today no, if he plays like this for the rest of the season and it was £20m then I'd consider it, when he plays close to his ability he is exactly what we need to add to push on, I just don't know if I trust him to play at this standard 38 times in a season.

[OzVilla]

I’d absolutely sign him for £20 million. He’s bloody frustrating though.

[KevinGage]

Much better, should've done better for their goal but going forward he was involved, wanted the ball and was moving it on with 1-2 touches instead of the dithering that we'd been seeing for the last couple of months. This version of Barkley all season and we'd be challenging for the top 4, which is why it's bene so frustrating watching him.

Would you take the risk on him, mate?
Have to admit, if we could get him for £20m I’d be tempted

Today no, if he plays like this for the rest of the season and it was £20m then I'd consider it, when he plays close to his ability he is exactly what we need to add to push on, I just don't know if I trust him to play at this standard 38 times in a season.

A player like him probably wouldn't give you that over 38 games.

But if if we could get more games like tonight and the early part of the season every second or third game it would still be worth it.  We can't carry the Barkley we seen post Covid for long spells if we want to push on next year.

[ChicagoLion]

I would not sign him, he was given freedom of the Park by Everton.
He is completely ineffective defensively and I am sure we can do a lot better than a one decent game in 4 for the sort of money he and Chelsea will want.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

An improved display from Barkley by his standards, but Traore is our luxury (frustrating) player we don't need another especially if it means holding back a prospect like Chuka. Good luck to him in his last 4 games for us. Thanks, but no thanks.

[London Villan]

I am not the only one frustrated by Barkley's performance last night? It was like he was trying to prove a point, but not to the team that's paying his wages, or his parent club, but the club he left years ago.

Player's form can come and go, but the effort should always be there. McGinn is a good example of that. But last night Barkely covered more distance than any other player - where has that effort been for the past 4 or 5 months? He wanted the ball, didn't hide and took responsibility on the pitch. Again where has that been - definitely not there when he was stropping off the pitch.

He has bags of talent - when he can be arsed, but last night was about Ross Barkley, not about Villa's number 20. There are plenty of better options for the £20m-£40m we'd need to buy him.

[Chris Smith]

I am not the only one frustrated by Barkley's performance last night? It was like he was trying to prove a point, but not to the team that's paying his wages, or his parent club, but the club he left years ago.

Player's form can come and go, but the effort should always be there. McGinn is a good example of that. But last night Barkely covered more distance than any other player - where has that effort been for the past 4 or 5 months? He wanted the ball, didn't hide and took responsibility on the pitch. Again where has that been - definitely not there when he was stropping off the pitch.

He has bags of talent - when he can be arsed, but last night was about Ross Barkley, not about Villa's number 20. There are plenty of better options for the £20m-£40m we'd need to buy him.

Completely agree. You can’t afford his level of inconsistency in central midfield if you want to get anywhere in the PL.

[Baldy]

I am not the only one frustrated by Barkley's performance last night? It was like he was trying to prove a point, but not to the team that's paying his wages, or his parent club, but the club he left years ago.

Player's form can come and go, but the effort should always be there. McGinn is a good example of that. But last night Barkely covered more distance than any other player - where has that effort been for the past 4 or 5 months? He wanted the ball, didn't hide and took responsibility on the pitch. Again where has that been - definitely not there when he was stropping off the pitch.

He has bags of talent - when he can be arsed, but last night was about Ross Barkley, not about Villa's number 20. There are plenty of better options for the £20m-£40m we'd need to buy him.

Exactly what I was thinking. He has no future at Chelsea, mostly poor audition at Villa and Everton could be on his radar. Mind you, I am a cynical old git.

[Smithy]

Last night we saw the player we all thought we were getting - not perfect by any means - but a solid premier league creative force.  I think the next couple of games will be telling - obviously he's done enough to keep his place. 

But, does the Everton game continue to stand out as his "good one", and he reverts to what we've seen over the last couple of months, or, is it a further sign his injury and fitness issues are behind him and this is what a fit Ross Barkley looks like?  There were signs last week, and he was good tonight.  Let's see how he does against a much better side next weekend...

[tomd2103]

I am not the only one frustrated by Barkley's performance last night? It was like he was trying to prove a point, but not to the team that's paying his wages, or his parent club, but the club he left years ago.

Player's form can come and go, but the effort should always be there. McGinn is a good example of that. But last night Barkely covered more distance than any other player - where has that effort been for the past 4 or 5 months? He wanted the ball, didn't hide and took responsibility on the pitch. Again where has that been - definitely not there when he was stropping off the pitch.

He has bags of talent - when he can be arsed, but last night was about Ross Barkley, not about Villa's number 20. There are plenty of better options for the £20m-£40m we'd need to buy him.

Might be cynical, but I agree.  Was almost as if he was trying to prove a point to Everton, possibly to try and get a move back there. 

I wouldn't go for him in the summer.  Would much prefer to get a couple of quality wide players in and play Grealish more centrally.

[Mister E]

I would not sign him, he was given freedom of the Park by Everton.
He is completely ineffective defensively and I am sure we can do a lot better than a one decent game in 4 for the sort of money he and Chelsea will want.

Bang on.