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Would the real Birkir Bjarnason please stand up? Aston Villa newbie struggling to reignite Euro 2016 heroics

Iceland's Birkir Bjarnason celebrates after scoring their first goa (Reuters)
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The Icelandic midfielder has struggled in his early Aston Villa career.

In the winter Aston Villa went on something of a spending spree. Steve Bruce wanted to bring in some of his own players to implement his style at the club.

In came the likes of Conor Hourihane, Henri Lansbury and Neil Taylor. Scott Hogan also arrived, adding some attacking flair.

But one of the more out-the-blue additions was that of Icelandic international Birkir Bjarnason.

Iceland's Birkir Bjarnason celebrates after scoring their first goaIceland’s Birkir Bjarnason celebrates after scoring their first goa

He arrived from Swiss giants FC Basel on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The midfielder came with a reputation that had soared in the summer at the European Championships. He was one of the stars of the Iceland team that shocked England, and Europe, with a run to the quarter-finals.

Bjarnason caught the eye with his marathon displays and hard work in midfield but, it is fair to say, Villa fans have yet to be impressed.

He struggled on debut v Brentford, was dreadful against Nottingham Forest and fared little better v Ipswich at the weekend.

England's Kyle Walker in action with Iceland's Birkir BjarnasonEngland’s Kyle Walker in action with Iceland’s Birkir Bjarnason

Aston Villa fans will be asking where the real Bjarnason is?

His best position is left of a midfield four but he is struggling to adapt to the English game at present.

He is a hard worker, tenacious even, so Aston Villa fans can hold out hope he will come good.

But he needs to do so fast.