Aston Villa manager Unai Emery remains hopeful about Ross Barkley's revival in English football following his recent acquisition. The former Chelsea midfielder is experiencing a renewed sense of purpose since transferring from Stamford Bridge, with Emery being pivotal in orchestrating Barkley’s move to Villa Park this summer.
Barkley, now 30, has seen his career characterised by both promise and adversity. After a frustrating period at Chelsea, where consistency eluded him, he embarked on temporary stints at Nice and Luton Town, which further complicated his standing in the sport. However, Emery's keen eye for talent led him to identify Barkley as a key signing after recently steering Villa to an impressive top-four finish last season, as noted by *The Mirror*.
Amid robust competition for central midfield positions, Barkley has established himself as a valuable contributor under Emery's stewardship. The manager has regularly summoned him from the bench in critical situations, and Barkley has risen to the occasion, making significant contributions whenever called upon.
Elaborating on his decision to sign Barkley, Emery shared, “I was familiar with Barkley’s capabilities before I arrived here. I watched him perform at an elite level during my time in Spain and other countries. When I came to Villa two years ago, I was taken aback to see he had moved to France to play for Nice. His career, however, did not seem very stable and was arguably on a downward trajectory.”
Emery also recounted a pivotal match from the previous season, stating, “When we faced Luton at home, I was quite impressed by how he played. It aligned perfectly with my vision and coaching philosophy. I felt he would fit seamlessly into our system, which ultimately led us to sign him. He has delivered exactly what we hoped for and continues to show room for improvement. He is humble and demonstrates a strong work ethic in every training session. Although he may not start every match, when he’s called upon, he performs admirably.”
As Aston Villa prepares for an upcoming fixture against Barkley’s former club, the prospect of him starting appears increasingly realistic. With Amadou Onana sidelined due to injury and Boubacar Kamara just returning from a lengthy absence after featuring the entire Champions League match against Juventus, circumstances may conspire to afford Barkley a crucial opportunity to reveal his talents from the outset.
Under Emery's astute guidance, Barkley could be on the brink of a significant resurgence, potentially reclaiming his status among the elite in English football. His journey underscores the importance of perseverance and seizing the right opportunities in an athlete's career, highlighting the transformative power of a supportive environment.