OFFICIAL: Chelsea Midfielder Ross Barkley Has Joined Aston Villa On A Season-Long Loan.

Aston Villa have annouced the signing of Ross Barkley from Chelsea loan until the end of the 2020/21 season, with no formal option to buy.

The 26-year-old England international, has made 69 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, scoring 7 goals since his transfer to Stamford Bridge in January 2018 under former manager Antonio Conte.

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

He had played well in the League Cup 6-0 win over Barnsley last Wednesday, but was an unused substitute against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier league, and Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the League Cup last night where they crashed out via penalties. 

According to reports, Chelsea are also trying to offload Loftus-Cheek who is in a similar position to Barkley in terms of wanting regular minutes after recovering from a long-term achilles injury.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith speaking via the club's website on having Ross Barkley in his squad said: “Capturing a player of Ross’s quality is a real coup for our Club and I am certain he will thrive here and improve our team.”

He would be Villa's fifth signing of the summer, but first in the midfield, having signed forward Ollie Watkins from Brentford , goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal, right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham, and forward Bertrand Traore from Lyon. 

They had also recently extended the contracts of playmaker Jack Grealish despite being linked with a move away from the club, and defender Tyrone Mings who has been in fine form. 

Ross Barkley, has so far been capped 33 times by his country since his senior team debut in 2013, and scoring six goals. 

Aston Villa have won all four matches they have played this season in the League Cup and the Premier League.

They are set to play Stoke City in the fourth round of the League Cup on Thursday, and then host Liverpool at the Villa Park on Sunday.