Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has revealed why he dropped Ross Barkley and replaced him with a teenage rookie. But Smith says Barkley handled the snub professionally and may return on Wednesday at Sheffield United with Jack Grealish not back in training yet amid a shin injury.
Attacking midfielder Barkley, 27, has endured an inconsistent spell on loan from Chelsea to Villa this term. He has been been limited to just 14 Premier League games with three goals and one assist.
A hamstring injury sustained five minutes into Brighton's visit in November led to two months out and left him playing catch up with his fitness.
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