Tim Sherwood told Premier League Productions (21/03/21 at 7:25 pm) that he was ‘surprised’ Dean Smith didn’t start Ross Barkley for Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Chelsea loanee was left on the bench again for Aston Villa as they suffered yet another defeat in the Premier League.
Ever since Barkley returned from injury, he has looked like a completely different player to the one that started life in B6 like a house on fire.
Sherwood thinks that Barkley’s continued absence from the starting IX suggests that his ‘attitude isn’t correct’.
“I am surprised that Ross Barkley’s not playing,” said Sherwood. “There’s something not right there with Ross.
“He went there and hit the floor running for the first two months. He took the onus off Jack Grealish. Moved with the ball and looked like a real threat.
“All of a sudden, he dragged him off a few times did Dean Smith. Kicking water bottles and showing frustration.
“His attitude isn’t correct. It cannot be. We know the ability that Ross has and if his attitude is right then he plays in this side.”
Jack Grealish has missed Villa’s last six Premier League matches, yet during that period, Barkley has only started one game.
January signing Morgan Sanson and teenager Jacob Ramsey have played ahead of him, which says a lot as to where his career is heading in the Midlands.
More than likely, Barkley will head back to Chelsea and it would be a surprise if Villa even look to secure his services on a permanent basis in the summer.
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