Aston Villa faces a challenging Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, just days after their Carabao Cup exit to Crystal Palace. Wednesday’s 2-1 loss ended Villa’s pursuit of their first trophy in nearly three decades.
Manager Unai Emery, prioritizing the Premier League and Champions League, rested key players like Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, and Pau Torres for that match. However, some critics argue that this approach backfired and added pressure for the Tottenham fixture.
Villa’s midfield is an area of strength and depth, presenting Emery with a tough selection call. Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana have formed a solid partnership, with Onana’s physicality balancing Tielemans’ control and playmaking. Recently, Boubacar Kamara has returned to action, adding a valuable defensive edge to Villa’s engine room.
Kamara’s ball-winning skills and positioning make him a crucial asset, though Emery is likely to reintroduce him gradually following his first start in eight months against Crystal Palace.
Ross Barkley, meanwhile, is a compelling candidate to start against Tottenham. Since rejoining Villa, the 30-year-old has been mainly a substitute, frequently replacing Onana at halftime.
Emery’s decision to swap in Barkley often stems from his ability to retain possession and bring more control to the midfield. His skills could be pivotal against Tottenham’s high-tempo, attack-driven style under Ange Postecoglou.
Barkley’s stats reveal his creative edge. According to FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of European midfielders for successful take-ons and in the top 17% for creative actions, showing his ability to unlock defenses.
His passing accuracy and dynamic runs forward could exploit the spaces Tottenham leaves open in transition. With a recent goal against Bournemouth and praise from pundits like Martin Keown, who noted Barkley is playing the best football of his career, the midfielder might be the ideal choice to start over Onana this Sunday.