Ross: Playing the Villan can earn a national role
ROSS BARKLEY has admitted he joined Aston Villa with one eye on next summer’s European Championship.
The Chelsea midfielder has moved to Villa Park on a season-long loan after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
The arrivals of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, plus the presence of Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic left Barkley with a bit-part role.
The 26-year-old has started just 28 Premier League games since arriving from Everton in 2018 and, with the Euro finals next year, he wants to force his way back into the England squad.
He said: ‘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.’
Barkley is cup-tied for tonight’s Cara
With the Euros at the end of the season, it’s a big target and I hope to be there
bao Cup visit of Stoke as Dean Smith’s Villa, beaten finalists last season, look to reach the last eight again.
Jack Grealish has starred in Villa’s unbeaten start to the season and Barkley revealed the skipper played a big part in convincing him to move.
‘We’re mates off the field and we know each other well,’ he added. ‘We’ve spoken previously and I’m looking forward to playing with him.
‘I’ve spoken to him over the past couple of weeks and he’s been telling me about how good the club is and how welcomed I’d be when I came here.’
Villa manager Smith said: ‘Capturing a player of this quality is a real coup for our club and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team.’
Wesley and Tom Heaton miss out tonight as they continue to recover from serious knee injuries, with Smith expected to make a host of changes for the Villa Park tie.