Having secured the signing of Ollie Watkins \u2013 whose \u2018perfect\u2019 hat-trick on his debut was the first in the Premier League since Villa\u2019s Tommy Johnson in 1995 \u2013 the added quality of Ross \u2018Rosco\u2019 Barkley has further improved Villa\u2019s firepower this season.<\/p>\n
Relieving the dependence on Grealish isn\u2019t something that Villa\u2019s No.10 will necessarily mind, neither the responsibility to carry his club through games, but now, as Villa have made their best start to a Premier League campaign, Barkley is proving to be instrumental to Grealish\u2019s overall performances as well.<\/p>\n
While Grealish will still attract several markers, and the customary five to ten fouls during 90 minutes of football, Barkley is another big problem for opposition players that are usually only tasked with mitigating Grealish\u2019s influence.<\/p>\n
As the ever-improving John McGinn showed more glimpses of his former self by \u2018bum-rolling\u2019 past Timothy Castagne before passing inside to Barkley, Villa\u2019s loanee moved through the middle off the pitch with confidence. Barkley set his sights and won all the points at the King-Power<\/a> as Grealish\u2019s movement to afford McGinn space to roam was proof that Villa\u2019s dynamic attack will cause many teams so many problems this season.<\/p>\n Barkley made his way to Villa Park last month having fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea, following a huge summer of spending in West London. Particularly, Chelsea\u2019s capture of Kai Havertz<\/a> seems to have all but ended Barkley\u2019s two and a half year stay at Stamford Bridge \u2013 now he\u2019s catching the eye of the country once again at Villa.<\/p>\n Barkley was instrumental on his debut against Liverpool<\/a> in what will become a Premier League classic, contributing with a goal while making 26 accurate passes as Villa swept away the reigning champions. Now following up his first outing with a match-winning goal at the King Power Stadium, Dean Smith has added proven quality to a team that had included little in the way of top-flight experience except Jack Grealish in attacking departments.<\/p>\n Barkley and Grealish were constantly texting back and forth as Villa\u2019s skipper turned agent in order to persuade the former Everton man that he could rediscover the form he showed from an early age on Merseyside at Villa. The two are now renewing acquaintances on the pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re mates off the field and we know each other well,\u201d Barkley said as he penned a loan move to Villa Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve spoken previously and I\u2019m looking forward to playing with him. I\u2019ve spoken to him over the past couple of weeks and he\u2019s been telling me about how good the club is and how welcomed I\u2019d be when I came here.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Grealish would argue he can play his best football in the role Barkley has occupied in his first few games under Dean Smith, Grealish has once more started the new season in exceptional form. Six goal contributions in Villa\u2019s opening four games is a return that backs-up Smith\u2019s decision to use both Grealish and Barkley in tandem.<\/p>\n Villa fans were salivating at the prospect of watching the two combine as Smith\u2019s Villa started life in their second Premier League season with solid wins over Sheffield United and Fulham. Retaining a perfect start in the league with games against Liverpool and Leicester also down \u2013 Villa\u2019s attacking duo are a major part of Villa\u2019s early-season success.<\/p>\n Chelsea manager Lampard has previously lauded Barkley\u2019s thirst to improve as a player by publicly praising the player\u2019s \u201cdesire to learn\u201d. Villa\u2019s new man even hired a personal chef to improve his diet \u2013 it\u2019s the small margins that speak volumes of Barkley\u2019s character and willing appetite to develop and make his mark at Villa Park.<\/p>\n Smith has been relishing the opportunity to find the player coveted by some of Europe\u2019s top clubs after he made 55 goal contributions for the Toffees in 179 appearances. Former Everton captain, Tim Cahill heralded Barkley as the most talented footballer he had worked with after the midfielder made his debut and won man of the match in Everton\u2019s first home game of the 2011-12 season.<\/p>\n His early performances were highly praised by many pundits, including Martin Keown who predicted Barkley will \u201cbe one of the best players we\u2019ll ever see in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n Barkley was reviling in the limelight from an early age and so it was only natural comparisons were drawn to a young Wayne Rooney, who needs no introduction to the level of performance he was capable of as a youngster in blue.<\/p>\n Now finding his feet again in the Premier League with Villa, the 26-year-old is approaching his prime midfield years with a point to prove, and a place in England\u2019s EURO 2021 squad is the carrot at the end of the season \u2013 Villa will be the beneficiaries for Barkley\u2019s focus this term.<\/p>\n Barkley is fully invested in Villa\u2019s season ahead. He knows if he can perform with the quality of Grealish, Douglas Luiz and McGinn around him, his place in the England side could be a certainty, and Smith\u2019s Villa will be all the better off for it.<\/p>\n The post Ross Barkley\u2019s quality changes Dean Smith\u2019s Villa<\/a> appeared first on AVFC – Avillafan.com – Aston Villa Fansite, Blog, & Forum..<\/a>.<\/p>\nDean Smith now has the luxury of picking multiple match-winners.<\/h3>\n
Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish renewing acquaintances on the pitch<\/h3>\n
![\"Grealish](\"http:\/\/www.avillafan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Grealish_Barkley.jpg\")
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