The 27-year-old virtually directly reflects Villa’s fortunes……………..Youri Tielemans.

Compared to last season, Unai Emery’s side look worse on the ball,

terrible in front of goal and are susceptible to conceding in any number of different ways.

This was proven against Chelsea in a 3-0 defeat on Sunday (1 December),

and ahead of a clash with Brentford just three days later (4 December),

the Spaniard has to change something.

That change could be to drop the Belgium international,

who has struggled for form in recent weeks, with fringe midfielder Barkley coming in.

Ross Barkley must replace Youri Tielemans for Aston Villa v Brentford

The 27-year-old almost directly represents Villa’s fortunes so far this season with the form that he’s shown.

he ex-Leicester City man started the campaign in electric fashion and was in

arguments for some of the best in the Premier League for his position.

In recent weeks that has dropped off completely and his play has become more laboured and slow,

much to the frustration of Villa supporters.

This was shown by his display away at Stamford Bridge, where he had

56 touches of the ball but just one came in the opposition penalty area,

while only 25 per cent of his 39 passes were into the final third [FotMob].

His lack of attacking impetus would be easier to ignore if his defensive work was better,

but with just one defensive action against the Blues, this certainly isn’t the case.

After this showing it could be time for a spell on the sidelines for the Belgian to allow Barkley to show his class from the start.

This was showed in his last start against Crystal Palace where he registered

72 touches and completed 48 passes throughout the clash at Villa Park.