Aston Villa secure Ross Barkley loan

Sometimes there are transfers that just make sense. This move is one of them. Aston Villa have been searching for a midfielder with Premier League experience to bolster the squad. Chelsea were looking for a way to get a frustrated player off the books and possibly increase the value for a future transfer. Ross Barkley wants to play ahead of the rescheduled Euro.

So..... Welcome Ross.

The quotes as published by the club!

Ross Barkley “The last couple of years I’ve been stop-start, performing well and then being out of the team. To come here and have the chance to play and perform regularly is a big thing for me. With the Euros at the end of the season, it’s a big target for me and hopefully I can be there.”

Dean Smith “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.”

Jack Grealish

Full interview with the club.

If you don’t have time to listen to the above — what jumped out to me is the fact that Barkley said unequivocally that he sees himself as a number 8, box to box midfielder in a three-man midfield — specifically he mentioned linking up with Jack and John McGinn and some of the other quality players at the club. I’m surprised he was so specific and that tells me Dean Smith was specific.

Once Barkley is up to speed — it appears Aston Villa will have two full midfield lines.

Luiz, McGinn, Barkley

Nakamba, Ramsey, Hourihane.

That makes me happy. Hourihane will play some games — and be first off the bench. The Irishman will fight for his place and will not give it up easily. And that can only benefit the club as a whole.

Up the Villa!