Ross Barkley Renaissance Continued During Aston Villa's Win Over Arsenal

In keeping with this truly bonkers Premier League season, Aston Villa - who shipped seven goals in their previous two games - travelled to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening and put the Gunners to the sword 3-0.

It wasn't quite on the level of the merciless performance that saw them best Liverpool 7-2 just over a month ago, but it wasn't far off it.

At the back Matty Cash resembled a brick wall, registering three interceptions, six clearances, two blocks and three tackles. The ex-Nottingham Forest man also managed to restrict his opposite number, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to a grand total of zero attempts on goal - the first this has ever happened at the Emirates.


He wasn't the only member of the Villa backline to impress either. Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings were silky smooth at centre-back and left-back also Matt Targett played his role, providing the cross that led to Villa's first goal.

Also key to the build up of Villa's opener was their best performer, Ross Barkley. Since arriving on loan from Chelsea, the 26-year-old has slotted in nicely. There was always a feeling that this was exactly the sort of move Barkley needed, but even still the results have been surprising.

Often lost in the shuffle at Stamford Bridge, his transition from wonderkid to somewhat of an inconsistent Premier League plodder had been sad to watch. However, since arriving at Villa Park, the shackles have been loosened and Barkley has been outstanding - even if some of that troublesome inconsistency has persisted.
Ollie Watkins bagged a brace in Villa's 3-0 win | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Against Arsenal he definitely had one of his good days. For that aforementioned first goal the former Everton man played a wondrous reverse pass that split the Gunners backline open like a hot knife through butter.

Barkley also played a big role in Villa's second, volleying Douglas Luiz's sumptuous crossfield ball back across goal for Ollie Watkins to slide home. The technique of this pass was exemplary - indicative of midfielder's extraordinary footballing gifts.

Overall, Barkley created an incredible six chances against the Gunners. The last person to do that at the Emirates? Former best playmaker in the world turned professional Tweeter Mesut Ozil. That's the level of performance we were treated to on Sunday night.


Dean Smith deserves credit for helping to get the best out of Barkley. After avoiding relegation by the skin of his teeth last season, Smith would have been forgiven for setting the Villa midfield up in a highly structured way - especially with Jack Grealish providing ample creativity from the left

Instead, the Villans have played to Barkley's strengths, allowing him license to roam at the tip of a midfield trio and lead the charge in transition. Against the highly structured Arsenal this gamble paid off massively.

If Barkley can carry on at this rate not only will Villa continue their surprise charge up the table, he should also be back in the England fold in time for next summer's Euros.


Chelsea's fans were happy bunny yesternight, as one of their players was out against the Mikel Arteta's men at Emirates. And, the fans were glad to have such a brilliant player on loan.




Arsenal was comfortable destroyed and trashed yesterday, by Aston Villa as the Gunners were defeated in 3-0 at their home. The Mikel Arteta's men were really downed yesterday, and they didn't even have any shot on target, as Aston Villa outplayed them in both halves.







Of course, one of the Blues players was loaned out to Aston Villa during the summer transfer window, as the player performance yesterday got many Chelsea's talking. And they want Chelsea to bring the player back to Stamford Bridge.


Chelsea's fans reacted happily to Ross Barkley's performance against Arsenal last night, as the Englishman was the main man behind the Gunners lost to Aston Villa. Barkley played outstandingly along side with Jack Grealish, and the two of them murdered the Mikel Arteta's men last night.










The Englishman performed impressively, and most Chelsea's fans want him back at Stamford Bridge, as they claimed they want him back in the midfield. Aside that, most Chelsea's fans also believe that Mason Mount should have been loaned out instead of Barkley.

Here's Ross Barkley stats against the Mikel Arteta's men last night:-



69 Touches

35 Accurate Passes (81. 4 Accuracy)


6 Key Passes

4 Shots

2/2 Dribbles Completed

3/6 Ground Duels Won

1 Big Chances Created

1 Assist








See some Chelsea's fans comment on Ross Barkley against Arsenal last night:-

@Maacy:- "Barkley was superb last night. Bring him back to Stamford Bridge, we need him back"

@Timo:- "Barkley is playing like Iniesta at Aston Villa and Mount is struggling at Chelsea. Please, bring Ross back, we obviously need him in the midfield"

@Harris:- "Please, bring Barkley back to home, we need him in the midfield"

@Kobby:- "Barkley murdered Mikel Arteta last night, he was so good. Bring him back home.

@Jonathan:- Ross was outstanding against Arsenal, we obviously need him back in the squad"

@Jean_Yves:- "Mount should be loaned out. Bring Ross Barkley back to the squad"

@CFCLamps:- "We need Barkley back in the squad, he was so brilliant and exceptional against against Arsenal"