Luton Town’s Ross Barkley has joined Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. As soon as the 2023/24 season ended it seemed that Villa Park was likely to be Barkley’s next destination.
Barkley leaves the Hatters on good terms after reviving his career at Kenilworth Road. Town boss Rob Edwards called him “amazing” following the midfield star’s departure. Barkley collected two Player of the Year awards following his scintillating one season with the Bedfordshire club in the Premier League.
Luton Town Midfielder Ross Barkley Has Joined Aston Villa
A New Luton Town Legend: The Rebirth Of Ross Barkley
A new Luton Town legend emerged during their ultimately disappointing first-ever Premier League campaign. Barkley’s renaissance at Kenilworth Road last season would not only have thrilled supporters of the Hatters. His return to the brilliant form of his early years at Everton will have been welcomed by most football fans.
Read More: Luton Town Championship Challenge Embraced by Fans
After spells at Chelsea, Aston Villa and latterly Nice, by the middle of 2023 it seemed as if his best years were behind him. Nevertheless, Luton fans were stunned when the Englishman was unveiled as a Hatters player before the club’s debut campaign in the top flight.
Recent Years
Barkley, it should be remembered, scored twice on his last England appearance. A 6-0 win in Bulgaria in 2019 is Barkley’s last memory in a Three Lions shirt. But, struggling to find regular first-team football at Chelsea, he was loaned out to Aston Villa for the 2020/21 season.
The Liverpudlian certainly had his moments in his spell in the Midlands. Notably, when he combined superbly with Jack Grealish against Premier League champions Liverpool in 2020. the Villains tore the Reds apart in a 7-2 victory at Villa Park, and things looked rosey again for Barkley.
But it wasn’t to be, and after going back to the Blues he left the team by mutual consent at the end of the 2021/22 campaign. After a season at Nice in Ligue 1, He received an offer to return to the Premier League. At Luton Town.
A Deeper Role At Luton
Barkley’s performances for Luton, against even the Premier League’s elite clubs were impressive. Playing in a deeper midfield role than he was used to, the position seemed to enable his skills to flourish. His long-range passes would set up attacks. While even in dangerous positions around his own penalty area he was confident enough to dribble past opponents and then look to start attacks.
Read More: Luton Town Weekly Round-Up: Departures and Friendly Confirmed
Such was his impact at the Kenny in the 2023/24 season that Town chairman David Wilkinson’s praise was effusive. A Hatters supporter since the late 1950s, Wilkinson said that Barkley was the best Luton player he had seen in all that time. Arsenal’s Declan Rice, a great England midfielder himself, also extolled the virtues of his compatriot. This, after the latter had given an inspired performance against the Gunners at Kenilworth Road.
There are plenty of players in the Premier League who have great physical attributes. But there is still no substitute, in the hearts of minds of fans, for skill. That is why Luton fans will wish Barkley all the best at Aston Villa. It will be a case of thanks for the memories – and hopefully, for the player, some trophies and a return to the England squad.
