---
title: "One key aspect missing from Ross Barkley’s impressive Aston Villa start"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2020/11/03/ross-barkley-aston-villa-goals-assists/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2020-11-03T08:00:53Z"
modified: "2026-09-03T11:38:52Z"
---

# One key aspect missing from Ross Barkley’s impressive Aston Villa start

[Ross Barkley](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/10/22/barkley-passed-fit-for-aston-villas-clash-with-leeds/) has had a superb start to life with Aston Villa since arriving on loan from Chelsea this summer.

The former England international joined Dean Smith’s side on a [season-long loan deal](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/Villa-announce-Barkley-loan-signing/) as the transfer window came to a close.

Scoring on his debut in the Villans’ 7-2 win over champions Liverpool, the 26-year-old followed up that strike with a late winner against Leicester City.

Performing to a high standard, Barkley has managed to accrue himself a respectable average match rating of 7.49 out of 10 from [WhoScored.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/Show/Ross-Barkley) for his performances in a Villa shirt.

Barkley’s impressions in midfield have also seen him complete over 83% of his passes, whilst averaging 2.3 key passes per game. \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/Show/Ross-Barkley)\]

However, he is [yet to get an assist](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/Show/Ross-Barkley) for his teammates…

### READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT

Smith may well be hoping Barkley can add this important aspect to his game. Previously for Chelsea, the Liverpool-born midfielder has [40 assists from nearly 300 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/131978) in his senior career.

With his performances being at a high standard, [many pundits](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ross-barkley-jack-grealish-villa-19198172) have heaped praise on the former Everton man, who [believes](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/09/30/ross-barkley-targets-place-england-squad-next-years-euro-2020/) his move to Villa could see him given a chance in Gareth Southgate’s England side.

Failing to appear for the Three Lions since [2019](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/nationalmannschaft/spieler/131978), it could be that the added inclusion of assists to his game could accelerate an international recall.

Barkley has been a breath of fresh air so far at Villa Park, but if he can add assists to his game, the loan move may be one of the most impressive signings of the Premier League season.