Douglas Luiz is one of the first-team players that Aston Villa may have to consider selling this summer despite Champions League qualification.
The reason Aston Villa may have to sell one or two of the players they would rather keep is that they are at risk of breaching spending rules set by both the Premier League and UEFA.
The fact that manager Unai Emery may have to do without the services of one or two of the key men in securing a top four finish is not what Villa fans would have anticipated would be the outcome of Champions League football, but unfortunately it looks as though that is the case.
Luiz is reportedly the big money player most likely to be sold in order to balance the books and Villa look set to act swiftly to bring in Ross Barkley from Luton Town as a cut-price alternative to the Brazilian.
Whilst his price will be significantly lower than that of Luiz, the statistics show that Barkley has outperformed the 26-year-old in terms of creativity despite playing a similarly deep midfield role.
Ross Barkley looks set to make Aston Villa move
Barkley has rejuvenated his career at Luton this season, despite the club ultimately being relegated straight back down to the Championship.
After a loan spell at Villa Park in 2020 was hampered by injuries, Barkley ended up at Nice in France before moving back to England where he reinvented himself as a holding midfield player under Rob Edwards at Luton.
Edwards would of course love to keep Barkley at the club, but that may prove difficult following relegation.
Speaking on Barkley in January, Edwards said: “We certainly love him and what’s he doing for us at the moment is brilliant.
“Some of his performances you would pay to watch and that’s been great because it is an entertainment business and we want to try to be entertaining while winning football matches.”
Despite his side’s struggles, Barkley has stood out at Kenilworth Road and looks set to earn a move he may have thought beyond him at 30-years-old.
Manchester United and Villa are both said to hold interest in the former Chelsea man, with latest reports suggesting it is the midlands club who are the more likely to secure his services for a second spell at the club.
Ross Barkley outperforming Douglas Luiz statistically
Whilst a move for Barkley may not be one that Villa fans will find hugely exciting – especially if it means Luiz departs – his signing could prove a very sensible one.
Barkley has experience in abundance and has played in both the Champions League and Europa League, as well as having 33 England caps.
Statistically, despite playing for an objectively worse side, Barkley has been more impressive than the Villa man in terms of creativity.
Luiz does boast more goals and assists in the Premier League in 2023/24, with his nine goals and five assists to Barkley’s five and four, but it is worth noting that Luiz takes penalties.
When you take a look at the underlying numbers you can see that Barkley could comfortably step into the creative shoes of Luiz.
Firstly, Barkley had marginally more shot creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League than Luiz this season, with 3.58 to Luiz’ 3.52 according to FBREF.
The England man is also far more successful when dribbling with the ball to create space or open up opposition midfields, boasting a 63.5% take-on success to Luiz’ 51.1%; whilst actually attempting 104 take-ons to Luiz’ 47.
Barkley also averages 0.65 shots on target per 90 minutes, with Luiz only managing 0.39.
Therefore, the statistics show that Barkley would be a really astute bit of business for Villa and, if it is to be as a Luiz replacement, then he is more than capable of filling the void at the heart of Emery’s midfield.
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