Unai Emery
Unai Emery
Aston Villa have been dealt a potential injury blow in the form of Ross Barkley ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle United this weekend. Unai Emery's men put on a clinic in the Champions League on Wednesday night, setting a new club-record with their biggest win in the competition, defeating Fenerbahce 6-0 at Villa Park.
Johan Manzambi opened the scoring with a birthday goal, and Nicolas Jackson quickly followed with a brace before half-time. Manzambi won a second-half penalty to allow Ross Barkley to score the first part of a brace, which he completed with a fine finish four minutes later. Tammy Abraham completed the scoring with his side's sixth just before half-time, when he tapped home a cross from fellow substitute Alysson.
It was a superb performance from Villa, who dominated their opponents throughout and looked full of confidence, which is a big change from earlier in the season, when they endured a tough start.
But there was one negative, and that was the sight of Barkley overstretching while trying to make a tackle on the edge of Fenerbahce's box in the 81st minute. That led to Barkley being replaced by Leon Goretzka, who has finally recovered from a knee issue.
Barkley appeared to clutch at the upper leg initially but then looked as though his hip area was troubling him as he left the pitch. What is clear is that it's somewhere in that upper-leg to hip area that Barkley has an issue.
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley
Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley
He initially tried to jog it off but couldn't continue and was replaced almost immediately. He paused on the sidelines and engaged in a lengthy discussion with the Villa physio, attempting to explain his symptoms.
It's not out of the question that the issue was cramp-related, but it could just as easily have been a muscular issue. Barkley looked frustrated when the injury happened, but that is understandable, especially after he scored a brace.
Villa face Newcastle in a tough away game this weekend as they look to continue their excellent form of late, and Barkley will naturally now be a doubt for that game. The former England international controlled the midfield against Fenerbahce, so his absence would be a significant blow.
On the plus side, Goretzka is back from his knee injury and came on for Barkley, and that could be an indication of how Emery will cope if Barkley is indeed ruled out for the trip to St James' Park.
Nicolas Jackson of Aston Villa
Nicolas Jackson of Aston Villa