Aston Villa have completed the signing of Ross Barkley on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Barkley heads to Villa Park having fallen down the pecking order after a huge summer of spending in west London, failing to start in any of Chelsea's three opening Premier League games this season.
Frank Lampard has the options of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech in attacking roles at Stamford Bridge with Barkley deemed surplus to requirements this season.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also be allowed to leave on loan in the coming days.
Barkley becomes Villa's fifth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore, Emiliano Martinez and Matty Cash.
Villa boss Dean Smith 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.”
