Ross Barkley returned to Aston Villa in July 2024, completing a move from Luton Town.

The midfielder enjoyed 29 appearances in all competitions during 2024/25, netting his first goal of the campaign in a 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth at Villa Park in October.

He made a further 23 outings for the club in the 2025/26 season, scoring three goals, as Villa won the UEFA Europa League with victory over Freiburg in Istanbul.

Barkley spent a season on loan from Chelsea in 2020/21, scoring two goals in his first two appearances. The England international, who has been capped 33 times by his country, subsequently spent time at OGC Nice and Luton after leaving the Blues in 2022.

He burst into the Everton first team aged 17 after graduating from their youth Academy and he went on to net 27 goals from midfield in 179 appearances for the Toffees.

Barkley has picked up UEFA Europa League and FA Cup winners' medals in his career, which has also taken him to a World Cup and European Championship.