Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley got off to a flying start for loan club Aston Villa this season, but things have gone downhill for the England international since.
Barkley scored twice in his first two Premier League appearances after joining Aston Villa on a season-long loan and he continued to impress in the weeks that followed as Dean Smith's men got off to a fine start.
But while Villa continued to impress, still with an outside chance of reaching the top six in only their second season back in the Premier League, Barkley did not.
The Chelsea midfielder, who signed on an £18million deal from Everton in 2019, has been heavily criticised in recent weeks with some even calling for him to be sent back to Stamford Bridge.
So, what has gone wrong? We spoke to BirminghamLive's Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece to find out.
"Two goals and an assist in his first six appearances told you everything and more about Ross Barkley rediscovering his form at the start of the season," Preece said.
"However, after his 60 day-long hamstring strain he's returned appearing shot of any confidence. Dean Smith has recently revealed how Barkley's been among the first in and last out at Bodymoor Heath as he looks to get back to his best after being disappointing in his eight games after injury.
"Barkley did score the winner at Southampton, but his all-round play hasn't been anywhere near the level he reached previously. The loanee was dropped for the first time at Leeds as Villa won with Jacob Ramsey coming in for him.
"Barkley did manage 22 minutes in midweek, but he's out of the side at the minute and that tells you everything."
Asked whether anything has changed for Barkley and whether his loss of form can be explained, Preece added: "Smith has made a big point of Barkley having to regain his fitness while playing.
"Barkley was training alone for a period after returning from his hamstring injury as Villa's first-team bubble - for which Barkley wasn't a part of due to injury - was hit by a Covid outbreak.
"He's just lacked that sharpness after eight games out.
"I said this a few weeks ago but Barkley must come out all guns blazing now and silence his doubters. He's recently said how he wants to get back into the England set up. He's a million miles away from that, it's got to be said.
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"Villa need to see the Barkley of old from here on in as the games run out with Barkley perhaps at a crossroads in his career come the summer."
Aston Villa were linked with a permanent move for Barkley after his fine start to the campaign, but if indeed that was their intention, the Midlands club may now re-evaluate given the midfielder's drop-off in form.
And Preece agrees that Barkley has it all to do if he wants to get a long-term deal at Villa Park.
He added: "Villa snapping up Morgan Sanson in January was a game-changer, a player of the same ilk as Barkley with the Frenchman - a £14million addition from Marseille - yet to start a game
"I think conversations will be had between Barkley, Chelsea and Villa but a lot depends on Barkley's form from now until May. There are no plans to sign him at present, I've been told as much. The situation will be addressed at the end of the season."
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiXmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZvb3RiYWxsLmxvbmRvbi9jaGVsc2VhLWZjL3RyYW5zZmVyLW5ld3MvY2hlbHNlYS1hc3Rvbi12aWxsYS1yb3NzLWJhcmtsZXktMTk5Nzk0NjPSAWJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mb290YmFsbC5sb25kb24vY2hlbHNlYS1mYy90cmFuc2Zlci1uZXdzL2NoZWxzZWEtYXN0b24tdmlsbGEtcm9zcy1iYXJrbGV5LTE5OTc5NDYzLmFtcA?oc=5
2021-03-06 06:30:00Z
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