Ross Barkley has reportedly been handed a lifeline over his Chelsea future by boss Frank Lampard. Barkley has been in fine form since joining Aston Villa on loan, scoring twice in five Premier League starts to help fire Dean Smith's side up to sixth in the table.
The 26-year-old joined Villa during the summer transfer window, having asked Lampard for a loan move after the manager was unable to give him any guarantees of first-team football this season.
Barkley was shunted down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the £72million summer signing of Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.
But there could still be a future for Barkley in West London, with Lampard reportedly impressed by the midfielder's performances for Villa.
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