Credit: Imago
Sun 1 March 2026 16:10, UK
Aston Villa failed to get the best out of Ross Barkley during their 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Friday evening.
The 32-year-old came on for the final half hour at Molineux, but failed to track Joao Gomes moments after coming on, with the Brazilian firing the hosts into the lead.
Barkley then struggled to have an impact on proceedings as Villa battled to find a way back into the game, before Rodrigo Gomes put the result beyond doubt in second-half stoppage time.
The defeat leaves Unai Emery’s side nervously looking over their shoulder, with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea putting their Champions League hopes at risk.
Ross Barkley needs to be the main man
Barkley has missed much of this season through injury and has only made 11 Premier League appearances in 2025-26.
Since returning to full fitness at the start of February, the midfielder has mainly been restricted to minutes from the bench, despite Emery’s lack of options in central areas.
In order to thrive, Barkley has to be given a run of games in the starting line-up and trusted to eventually find some form.
The Englishman needs time to build up his sharpness and overall confidence on the ball, so he is not suited to substitute appearances.
With the likes of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara out injured, the pressure is now on Barkley to step up and fill the void.
Unai Emery needs Ross Barkley to rediscover Luton form
If Emery wanted to understand how to get the most out of Barkley, he should’ve just asked the manager in the opposite dugout on Friday evening.
Under Rob Edwards at Luton Town, the England international found the form of his life and was arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Barkley scored five goals and picked up four assists for a Luton side who were eventually relegated, but it was his all-round game that was so impressive.
Everything that the Hatters did went through the former Everton man, who averaged 61.2 touches and 2.1 successful dribbles per game in the 2023-24 campaign.
Getting protection around him defensively and letting him get on the ball as much as possible is key to Barkley running things, and that has to be utilised now.
Without Kamara and Tielemans to call upon, Emery has to get Barkley to rediscover the form he was in at Kenilworth Road if Villa are to have any chance of securing Champions League football.
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