Fans blast Ross Barkley's performance in West Ham defeat

© Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images SportAston Villa v West Ham United - Premier League

Aston Villa suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to West Ham United on Wednesday night and Ross Barkley was one of many players to underperform.

Barkley played for 69 minutes against the Irons before being substituted. In that time, he had one shot which didn't hit the target, was dispossessed twice and failed to win a tackle or make an interception [WhoScored].

The on-loan midfielder returned from a two-month hamstring injury in mid-January but hasn't been at his best, having a hand in only one goal from five games since his comeback (Transfermarkt).

No player was rated lower than the 27-year-old by Birmingham Live and plenty of Villa fans made their feeling clear on social media, with one describing his display as "anonymous".

Not good enough at all today. Barkley and El Ghazi were very poor. Mcginn wasn't as lively as usual. I think Watkins was probably our MOTM. Fair play to West Ham though, shut us out all game. We need a big change to the lineup against Arsenal.#AVFC #AVLWHU #WHUFC https://t.co/e2dWRS79Qq

- iLennox01 (@iLennox01) February 3, 2021

McGinn and Barkley need dropping they're actually awful #avfc

- Euan (@euanavfc) February 3, 2021

Not our night tonight, Emi's worst game for us. Can't be the only one who thinks Barkley has been really poor since coming back? Looked like a team who had played 5 games in 12 days. #avfc

- Avfc (@AvfcVtidUtv) February 3, 2021

Barkley very very poor tonight and if we are honest, but for the goal against Southampton, was poor against them too. Far too casual on the ball, wasteful and just non existent defensively once the ball is into the midfield. #avfc

- Cory Styche (@Stychey11) February 3, 2021

Barkley has done so well, but he really looks shattered most games! #avfc

- imran ? (@M7RNI) February 3, 2021

Very much an off night for us tonight Nobody stood out Barkley in particular having a poor game Martinez making mistakes but he will win is more points over a season then cost us, take the lessons from tonight and bring on Saturday #AVFC #UTV

- matty (@mattyyallen92) February 3, 2021

I've thought for a while that Barkley is perfect when we're dominant, but if we're 2nd best he's anonymous. I think we should freshen it up - Trez needs to come in for RB so JG goes centrally; Sanson or Nakamba in for JM.earlier subs too!#AVFC #UTV #partofthepride

- Jon Hayes (@jonboy_avfc) February 3, 2021