Chelsea attacking midfielder Ross Barkley who has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea after the signings of forwards Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and winger Hakim Ziyech has joined Astin Villa on season long loan.
Barkley, who has 33 international caps, 179 appearances and 27 goals for his boyhood club Everton has been at Stamford Bridge since his move in January 2018 and had made three appearances for Chelsea this season, scoring once.
“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,” said Villa manager Dean Smith.
The England international who scored in Chelsea’s 6-0 third-round thrashing of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup becomes the fifth signing for Dean Smith.
The other four arrivals at Aston Villa include Bertrand Traore from Lyon, striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal and right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.
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