Ross Barkley hoping to revive England career at Aston Villa

The 26-year-old has started just 28 Premier League games since arriving from Everton in 2018 and, with the European Championships next year, he wants to force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans.

He said: "The last couple of years I've been stop-start, performing well and then being out of the team.

"To come here and have the chance to play and perform regularly is a big thing for me. With the Euros at the end of the season, it's a big target for me and hopefully I can be there.

"Dean Smith swayed me with the way he spoke to me, and it looks like it's going to be an exciting season."

Barkley is cup-tied for Thursday's Carabao Cup visit of Stoke as Villa, beaten finalists last season, look to reach the last eight.

Jack Grealish has starred in Villa's unbeaten start to the season and Barkley revealed the Villa skipper played a part in convincing him to come to the club.

"We're mates off the field and we know each other well," he told the club's official website.

"We've spoken previously and I'm looking forward to playing with him.

"I've spoken to him over the past couple of weeks and he's been telling me about how good the club is and how welcomed I'd be when I came here."

Wesley and Tom Heaton are missing as they continue to recover from their serious knee injuries, with boss Smith expected to make a host of changes for the Stoke clash.