BARKLEY IN LIMBO

DEAN SMITH admits Aston Villa are still no nearer knowing what the future holds for matchwinner Ross Barkley.

Barkley was missing for two months due to first a hamstring injury and then being unable to train properly when a coronavirus outbreak forced the training ground to be closed.

Barkley, right, is not yet fully match fit despite four starts since his return, and Smith could not say if the 27-year-old will stay beyond this campaign.

The Villa manager said: “There have never been any discussions about signing Ross since we contacted Chelsea at the start of the season to take him on loan.

ASTON VILLA He’s got a tremendous smile on his face and he’s enjoying these games at the moment. “Ross is not 100 per cent yet. He’s actually played more in matches than he has in training over the past few weeks. He is having to get his fitness back during matches. But he had a 65 minutes, two 80 minutes and then 95 minutes on Saturday.” Barkley met Jack Grealish’s cross to head in shortly before half-time. He said: “I feel I am getting back into my stride. It has been hard to get my match fitness back but I felt good in this one and I have played basically the whole game.”