--- title: "Villa fans want Jacob Ramsey starting ahead of Ross Barkley" canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/24/aston-villa-fans-want-jacob-ramsey-starting-over-ross-barkley/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Crippy Cooke" section: "Aston Villa News" published: "2021-02-24T19:00:00Z" modified: "2021-02-24T19:00:00Z" --- # Villa fans want Jacob Ramsey starting ahead of Ross Barkley On-loan [Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/24/aston-villa-morning-news-round-up-24th-february-2021/) midfielder [Ross Barkley has been short of form](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/21/fan-reaction-aston-villa-ross-barkley-leicester-defeat/) since returning from a hamstring injury in January and may even be at risk of losing his place in the starting XI ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds United. One player who could replace him in midfield is [Jacob Ramsey](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/19/gabriel-agbonlahor-aston-villa-jacob-ramsey-loan/), who Alan Hutton [hailed as](https://www.footballinsider247.com/hutton-delivers-ramsey-verdict-after-big-aston-villa-development/) “class” after he signed a new long-term deal earlier this month. So far in 2021, Barkley has scored just one goal and has failed to provide an assist in the Premier League, having been hooked in seven of his last eight outings for Villa ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdaten/spieler/131978)). Dean Smith has [defended his form](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/23/dean-smith-defends-ross-barkley-after-recent-criticism/), insisting that he has a good output based on statistics, but it might be time to rest him. Ramsey has made nine league appearances this season but has only amassed 61 minutes of playing time in 2021 ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jacob-ramsey/leistungsdaten/spieler/503749)). The 19-year-old is a box-to-box player who had a hand in 20 goals from 38 games for Aston Villa’s under-18s and 15 goals from 27 games for the under-23s ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jacob-ramsey/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/503749)), so he could offer a potent threat in the final third. Ramsey scored [three goals in seven appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jacob-ramsey/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/503749/verein/2454) while on loan at Doncaster Rovers last season, too, so he may indeed be deserving of his opportunity instead of the 27-year-old Chelsea loanee. These Aston Villa supporters believe that Barkley is ‘exhausted’ and not match fit, so Ramsey ‘should start’ instead of him on Saturday. > Barkley just isn’t cutting it. He trots around and doesn’t offer up any tackles. Definitely at fault for the Maddison goal. Looks disinterested at times, too. Give Jacob Ramsey a chance, he looks a much better option. > > — Richard Giles (@rwjgiles) [February 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/rwjgiles/status/1363768194557739010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) https://twitter.com/Connor\_\_AVFC2/status/1363936696723726344?s=20 > Barkley has only contributed one goal since his return from injury, Ramsey should start instead of him > > — Ash Skinner (@Villaboy89) [February 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/Villaboy89/status/1363986075019063298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) https://twitter.com/RHAVFC/status/1364129139104632835?s=20 > I want to see Mcginn pushed further forward I think he's much better further forward. Drop Barkley as he isn't cutting it. I'd rather see Ramsey in there. El Ghazi on the left Traore on the right. Mcginn behind Whatkins and Ramsey and Luiz behind Mcginn. > > — Dan (@TheKnurlingKing) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/TheKnurlingKing/status/1364281937154736140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > I would like to see Ramsey start ahead of Barkley, Nekamba in for Luiz & maybe mcginn on the bench too cos him & dougie look exhausted, I'm not at the training groung but we need protection for the back 4 7 loads of energy against leeds. so Nekamba at CDM+ Ramsey & Sanson start > > — MadVillan (@TalkRhythmics) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/TalkRhythmics/status/1364263181636562947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Yeah I agree we will probably need to replace Barkley although I would like Ramsey to get more game time this season but I think Berge plays deeper normally so would up against JM, DL and Sanson hasn’t really been given a chance > > — And Hansard (@APJHansard) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/APJHansard/status/1364239455670927360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Send Barkley back, play ramsey, we at least stand a chance then! > > — Ste (@GamerDadMMXVII) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/GamerDadMMXVII/status/1364132676865839108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Same lineup ramsey in for barkley > > — Gavin 🦁💜 (@UTVGAVIN1874) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/UTVGAVIN1874/status/1364250317823631369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)