Barkley ‘born to play football’

Everton 3 Aston Villa 0

At the end of a week in which the form, fitness and desire of young England internationals was high on the news agenda, Ross Barkley produced the type of performance that illustrated why he is one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents of any nationality.

Back from a knee injury he suffered on the eve of the season, Barkley returned for a one-hour run-out that stamped his, and Everton’s, authority on proceedings and ensured Roberto Martinez’s side ended their faltering start to the campaign in emphatic style.