Anthony Gordon Vows to Show More for Barcelona Against Aston Villa
Anthony Gordon believes his first months at Barcelona have only offered a glimpse of what he can deliver, with the England forward targeting a more direct and selfish approach before Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Aston Villa at Spotify Camp Nou.
Key takeaways
- Gordon joined Barcelona from Newcastle United for €70 million during the summer and has registered three goals and five assists.
- His latest strike came in Saturday’s 6-1 LaLiga win over Alavés, when he lifted a composed finish over the goalkeeper.
- Villa arrive having won each of their opening three Champions League fixtures, placing them three points above Barça in the league standings.
- Barcelona’s win over Alavés followed successive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
- After Villa, Hansi Flick’s side will turn their attention to a major domestic fixture against Atlético Madrid.
Gordon seeking greater influence in Barcelona attack
The 24-year-old rated his start in Spain at around “7.5 out of 10”, acknowledging that adapting to a new club and country will take time. While encouraged by his output, he feels there is considerably more to come once he is fully settled.
Gordon said his targets remain to score, create and assume responsibility in decisive moments. He sees a need to take on opponents more often and shoot with greater regularity, arguing that the game’s outstanding players are prepared to make those individual decisions when a match requires it.
Barcelona represent the third markedly different challenge of his senior career. At Everton, Gordon experienced the pressure of a relegation battle, while Newcastle’s ambitions centred on reaching the Champions League and climbing the Premier League. At Barça, the expectation is to contest every competition for silverware.
He described that demand as a preferable form of pressure, saying competing for trophies is more enjoyable than battling to stay up or pushing towards higher league positions.
Gordon also clarified recent comments about receiving greater appreciation in England since his move to Spain. He stressed that he was not suggesting he had been unfairly viewed at home, but that Barcelona’s possession-based system has allowed different elements of his game to become more visible.
Having played under three contrasting styles at Everton, Newcastle and Barcelona, Gordon believes his ability to operate successfully in each reflects his football intelligence. The current setup, he said, has helped observers recognise qualities they had not previously seen as clearly.
Villa test follows difficult week for Flick’s leaders
Barcelona returned to winning ways emphatically against Alavés after losses to PSG and Real Madrid, results that prompted questions over the team’s record in the season’s biggest matches. Gordon accepted that Barça must own those defeats, which came in their two most significant games to date.
Nevertheless, he rejected the idea that either PSG or Madrid are beyond Barcelona’s level. Gordon maintained that Flick’s side can defeat any opponent when they perform at their best.
Villa will provide another high-level examination. Unai Emery’s side have made a perfect start in Europe, winning all three Champions League matches, and Gordon knows the opposition well from his time in England. He said his previous meetings with Villa brought mixed results, while praising Emery as one of the leading coaches in the game.
With Villa in strong form and Barcelona looking to reduce the gap in the Champions League table, Gordon called the contest a demanding one but said he is relishing his first match against Premier League opposition since leaving Newcastle.
