Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley are not out of contract when Aston Villa supporters may have thought.placeholder image
Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley are not out of contract when Aston Villa supporters may have thought. | Getty Images
The truth about when contracts expire for Aston Villa midfielders Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley.
Confusion over the duration of Youri Tielemans’ and Ross Barkley’s contract lengths has now been cleared up, with both players’ deals found to have more time left than expected.
Many of the Villa Park faithful were under the impression that Tielemans’ contract was going to expire in June 2027, prompting concerns that the Belgium international could soon leave for free or in a cut-price deal. In Barkley’s case, many Villa fans thought he was set to leave at the end of the current season.
The truth, so it transpires, is different. After doing some digging, The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell reports that Tielemans’ terms actually expire in June 2028 – a huge boost. Similar can be said for Barkley, with the former England international having an extra year than presumed. Barkley, unless sold, will remain at Villa Park until June 2027.
Tielemans and Barkley have a lot to give for Villa
It’s a shame that the pair won’t be able to play together for a while due to Tielemans’ recent ankle injury, but it’s great news that Villa don’t have to worry about replacing either of them any time soon.
Tielemans, Villa’s Player of the Season in 2024/25, has been pivotal yet again this campaign. The former Leicester City man is so effective in Unai Emery’s double pivot and can also double up as a number 10 when required. It was a huge blow when he injured his ankle against Newcastle, and Emery is already itching to have him back.
Meanwhile, Barkley is finally back in and amongst the matchday squad after several months of lacking fitness. The ex-Chelsea and Everton midfielder was named on the bench for Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford on Sunday and he can perhaps expect to earn some minutes in the coming weeks.
Villa need every midfielder they can for the run-in, as Boubacar Kamara will miss the rest of the season with an PCL injury and John McGinn is out for two months with a knee problem. Tielemans could spend a similar spell on the sidelines to McGinn. Barkley, therefore, could have some opportunities to impress.
Villa ‘explored’ Everton transfer in January
In other Villa news, it has now emerged that Emery’s side held a strong interest in bringing Everton midfielder James Garner to the West Midlands. The Athletic - in the same report as the Tielemans and Barkley deals - reveals Villa were keen on signing Garner, who had six months left on his Everton contract and may have been available for a cut price.
The Villans are said to have great fondness for Garner’s work rate, versatility and talent but were unable to pursue a deal as he ended up signing a new Everton contract instead. Sources close to the player are said to have been aware of Villa’s interest, however Garner ended up putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium anyway.
Garner, who joined Everton from Manchester United in 2022 for around £15 million inclusive of add-ons, has recently been in the conversation for a surprise England call-up. The 24-year-old has become a pivotal player for Everton, predominantly in defensive midfield but also in either full-back role or as a central midfielder.
The former England Under-21 international, who spent two seasons on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Championship before making his move to Everton, is in the top 14 per cent of Premier League midfielders for defensive contributions so far this season. Garner has also contributed two goals and three assists so far in 2025/26.
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