01-Oct-2020 23:12:49 | The Guardian
Thiago Silva is in for another test, Pep Guardiola faces Marcelo Bielsa and is the jig finally up for Burnley?
Jack Grealish responded to the news that Ross Barkley had signed for Aston Villa in typically impish fashion: a tweet full of heart emojis. And why not? Barkley, arriving on a season-long loan, is quite the coup for a side that just about stayed up last season by a single point. The question is how Dean Smith finds a place for Barkley in a midfield that has now found some balance – Villa are now unbeaten in six league games after their 3-0 win at Fulham. Smith would be smart to leave Barkley out of the XI for the visit of Liverpool on Sunday – his side will need defensive discipline and tactical awareness that has obviously been honed on the training ground in recent weeks – but his time will come. Beyond this weekend, Barkley should revel in being a creative talisman once again alongside Grealish. Villa feel a good fit. MB
@sergio_regui #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/avF98dAkTR
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