Dean Smith: Best still to come from Aston Villa match-winner Ross Barkley

The on loan Chelsea star headed his third goal of the season and first since returning from a hamstring injury as Villa battled to a 1-0 victory over the Saints on Saturday night.

Barkley was playing in just his fourth match since a two-month lay-off and Smith revealed the 27-year-old is still to reach peak fitness levels.

“Ross is not 100 per cent yet, he is still getting there,” said Smith. “He has actually played more match minutes than he has training minutes over the last 12 weeks.

“He missed out because we were all in self-isolation. He was back to fitness but we couldn’t do any group training because there was no-one to train with. He is happy to get his fitness back during matches.

“He got 90 minutes on Saturday and is getting better and better. It was a great header.”

Barkley is a key part of a Villa team now targeting European qualification but Smith insisted no talks have taken place with Chelsea over signing the England international on a permanent basis.

“There have never been any discussions,” said Smith. “We contacted Chelsea at the start of the season about taking him on loan and we are thankful they allowed it.

“He is playing football, playing with a smile on his face and enjoying it at the moment.”

Villa withstood late pressure to secure their 10th win in 19 Premier League matches and Barkley said: “It was a great shift from the lads. It is never easy playing against Southampton.

“It was nice to get back on the scoresheet. I felt much more like myself. I’m feeling better about myself and looking forward to the rest of the season.

“The more minutes I get on the pitch and the more I get on the training field, the better I will be.”

Villa full-back Frederic Guilbert has joined Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season.