Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley has provided us with a positive injury update as he closes in on a return from his setback.
The 32-year-old sustained a knee injury in our win over Wolves at the end of November, and he has been sidelined since as injuries continue to disrupt his second spell with us.
With his current contract set to expire in the summer, it’s an important period now for Barkley’s future, and fortunately, it looks as though he is stepping up his recovery.
Want more Villa news? Subscribe to Talk Villa+ below for ad-free weekly newsletters, exclusive articles and much more sent directly to you. The TalkVilla podcast is also now available, have a listen, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or YouTube. UTV!
As per his Instagram post below, the Villa ace confirmed that he is back training on the grass at Bodymoor Heath, and so it’s hoped that he’ll be in a position to make his comeback in the next few weeks.
It’s an important boost for Unai Emery as it allows him not only to rest the likes of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara when needed with another top option coming in to replace them, but it also gives us a different tactical approach in midfield with Barkley’s qualities and versatility to play in different roles.
Now, it’s possible that he could move on this month if an offer were to come in, as Villa could offload him and look to bring in a more impactful, consistent and reliable option in that department for this season and beyond. The club does hold an option to extend his deal for a further 12 months.
Emery undoubtedly rates him highly, and so it would be great to see him return to the fold in the coming weeks and play an integral part in our push for success in the second half of the season across multiple fronts.
Ross Barkley on IG…
Positive update, hopefully once back he can stay healthy & give Emery another important option as schedule picks up 👊🏽🟣🔵#avfc #UTV pic.twitter.com/Ta4ms6uRSP
— Talk Villa (@thetalkvilla) January 7, 2026
