Aston Villa badge, Youri, Tielemans, Ross Barkley
Aston Villa midfielders Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans (credit: Imago)
Ross Barkley has to replace Youri Tielemans for Aston Villa against Brentford after a string of poor performances for the latter.
The Villans have been disappointing for a number of weeks and there doesn’t appear to be a definitive reason for the change in fortunes.
Compared to last season, Unai Emery’s side look worse on the ball, terrible in front of goal and are susceptible to conceding in any number of different ways.
This was proven against Chelsea in a 3-0 defeat on Sunday (1 December), and ahead of a clash with Brentford just three days later (4 December), the Spaniard has to change something.
That change could be to drop the Belgium international, who has struggled for form in recent weeks, with fringe midfielder Barkley coming in.
Ross Barkley must replace Youri Tielemans for Aston Villa v Brentford
The 27-year-old almost directly represents Villa’s fortunes so far this season with the form that he’s shown.
The ex-Leicester City man started the campaign in electric fashion and was in arguments for some of the best in the Premier League for his position.
In recent weeks that has dropped off completely and his play has become more laboured and slow, much to the frustration of Villa supporters.
This was shown by his display away at Stamford Bridge, where he had 56 touches of the ball but just one came in the opposition penalty area, while only 25 per cent of his 39 passes were into the final third [FotMob].
His lack of attacking impetus would be easier to ignore if his defensive work was better, but with just one defensive action against the Blues, this certainly isn’t the case.
After this showing it could be time for a spell on the sidelines for the Belgian to allow Barkley to show his class from the start.
This was showed in his last start against Crystal Palace where he registered 72 touches and completed 48 passes throughout the clash at Villa Park.
Unai Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery [Credit: Imago]
The ex-England international also completed three dribbles with a 100 per cent success rate, while also getting forward and contributing with the point-saving equaliser.
Defensively, the 30-year-old was also on top form as he won all six of his attempted duels in a 100-per-cent ratio.
Barkley deserves a start and it could be time for him to be utilised alongside Boubacar Kamara and handed a licence to get forward more regularly.
In other Aston Villa news, scouts have been sent to watch a South American starlet amid Premier League interest.
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