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'I told him I'll get him in the Euros squad': Aston Villa boss Dean Smith reveals promise he made to Ross Barkley... with on-loan Chelsea midfielder determined to gatecrash Gareth Southgate's squad next summer

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith told Ross Barkley he would get him into England's squad for next summer's European Championships and the on-loan Chelsea midfielder has set about proving his new boss right.

Barkley, who turns 27 in December, has not featured for Gareth Southgate's squad for more than a year since scoring twice in the 6-0 win over Bulgaria.

His career appeared to be stagnating at Stamford Bridge but he was sold a new vision by Smith and, having made a temporary move at the end of the summer window, has responded by scoring in his first two matches for the club - his latest an added-time strike which secured a 1-0 win at Leicester on Sunday night.