---
title: "Fans blast ‘terrible’ Barkley after Leicester defeat"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/21/fan-reaction-aston-villa-ross-barkley-leicester-defeat/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-02-21T21:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-21T21:30:00Z"
---

# Fans blast ‘terrible’ Barkley after Leicester defeat

[Aston Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat to Leicester City](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Aston-Villa-1-2-Leicester-City/) on Sunday afternoon and Ross Barkley was one of many players who underperformed on the day. The 27-year-old was once again hooked in the second half and didn’t seem happy with the decision.

Barkley saw a lot of the ball at Villa Park but didn’t make any opportunities for his teammates, failed to register a shot and he failed to drive with the ball from deep like he’s known to do. The midfielder could have no arguments with Dean Smith taking him off and now he’s losing supporters.

> Amazed that Barkley lasted as long as he has…dreadful performance [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Simon O'Regan (@SiORegan) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/SiORegan/status/1363513659432009731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Disagree. McGinn our best midfielder by far. Barkley was woeful again.
>
> — Elliott Holmes (@elliottvilla) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/elliottvilla/status/1363521954809073672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Nakamba, Sanson, McGinn. Luiz out if form offering no protection and Barkley is just woeful, posting regular 4/10 evey game now. As someone else said, let him get him fitness in the u23s.
>
> — Boycey (@Boycey1259) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/Boycey1259/status/1363539218786574336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> How is Barkley not fit he’s played 8 games and trained continuously for the past two weeks with no midweek game. He’s just terrible!
>
> — Matthew Aiello 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ⚽️🦁 (@aiello\_matthew) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/aiello_matthew/status/1363545986581299201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Barkley is offering nothing since his return from injury. Attitude is terrible aswell, looking up to the sky any chance he gets.
>
> — Padraig sheridan (@PadraigSheridan) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/PadraigSheridan/status/1363575665430298625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/PJLinton/status/1363543819891933194?s=20

> on Ross Barkley \
> \
> Drop him to the bench. He thinks he is irreplaceable at the moment and his form is poor. Make him fight for his starting position. Maybe then we will get what we got at the start of the season.
>
> — Josh (@joshkentx) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/joshkentx/status/1363569416756228098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Never got started in the first half , Martinez kept it at 2-0 . Second half alot better , got the goal , Traore definitely our best player second half . Barkley just isnt anywhere near the form he had earlier in the season , Watkins just isnt getting enough service [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Ash Skinner (@Villaboy89) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/Villaboy89/status/1363541335215636484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Just playing devils advocate, but Barkley clearly has the ability to be a good player, maybe attitude is questionable. But he may not be fit and the club still want to play him and he can’t refuse. He doesn’t look quite right. Whether that’s fitness or attitude though 🤷🏻‍♂️. [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Chris Jennings (@ChrisLouisJ) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/ChrisLouisJ/status/1363550850300452865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Barkley's form is dreadful and his attitude absolutely stinks. On the basis we are not getting relegated and highly unlikely to get into Europe, we should cut our losses and look to give more game time to Ramsey and Samson [#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Paul Gordon (@paul\_gordonh) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/paul_gordonh/status/1363558140151791618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Against Leicester, Barkley played for 75 minutes, had 57 touches, won two aerial duels, completed 89.1% of his 46 passes, failed to create a chance, whipped in seven crosses with only one finding a teammate, failed to take a shot, made one tackle and failed to make an interception ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485432/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Aston-Villa-Leicester)).

The 27-year-old has made 17 appearances in all competitions this season ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdaten/spieler/131978)), scoring four goals and supplying one assist. Barkley has scored just one Premier League goal since October and hasn’t managed an assist since November, so his place in the side might be at risk ahead of Saturday’s [meeting](https://www.avfc.co.uk/matches/?view=fixtures) with Leeds United.

**READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Barkley has been hooked seven times in his last eight league appearances, so it’s hard to see how Smith continues to start him. [Jack Grealish’s injury](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/21/aston-villa-jack-grealish-leicester-city-injury/) means Villa have lost a lot of creativity, however, so it remains to be seen what he’ll do.