Garth Crooks included Aston Villa star Ross Barkley in his team of the week column on BBC Sport after his performance against Arsenal at the Emirates.
The Chelsea man has hit the ground running with the Villans, and he is now a surprise candidate to make the flight to the European Championships with England this summer.
Barkley’s arrival has changed Villa’s fortunes. Dean Smith’s side smashed Liverpool 7-2 at home, before scoring three past Arsenal and keeping a clean sheet at the Emirates on Sunday.
The former Everton man, along with Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins, was the standout performer in both games, but something that he did at the Emirates forced Crooks to include him in the team over a few of his teammates.
Crooks: Barkley did something quite special at Arsenal
Crooks wrote: “I thought Jack Grealish gave another masterful performance for Aston Villa at Arsenal, along with Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. However, I decided to select Ross Barkley in my team because of his sensational assist for Ollie Watkins’ second goal.
“The 30-yard ball from Douglas Luiz to Barkley was pretty brilliant, but what then took place was something quite special. Barkley, without taking his eye off the ball, volleyed the most sensational cross from the byline for Watkins to head home and seal the game for Villa.
“The level of skill, not to mention technique, required to perform such a pass takes extraordinary talent, but it also characterised the team’s performance. Without doubt the best display I have seen from a Villa side for years.”
Barkley’s first-time volley into the path of Watkins was an incredible assist. That put the game well beyond Arsenal’s reach, and Villa made the Gunners look a very average side.
If Barkley, Grealish and the rest keep performing the way they have been, Villa have a good chance to finish in the top half of the table. Their next seven fixtures are very winnable and, if they get maximum points in most of those games, they will be in a very good position by the end of this year.
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