Gareth Barry, the one-club man, has had an outstanding season – highlighted by his national selection. The club are clearly building around him, and there will be a battle to keep him.
'His efforts, though, continue to capture the attention of the glamour clubs of the league'
Liverpool are clearly keen to sign the talented midfielder – offering £10 Million; an amount that many Villa fans, and also Villa boss Martin O’Neill, believe is nowhere near what the 27-year-old is worth.
The key to this tug-of-war, some some pundits believe, is trophies. Aston Villa are currently chasing Everton for fifth place and a coveted UEFA berth. Liverpool, as part of the esteemed Big Four are a team with, some might say, more guaranteed success. But as captain and certain starter for the Villa team, others would state that Barry may just be another acquisition, and may not be assured a spot in an already crowded Reds collection of midfielders.
Of course, it could also be reasoned that the Lions are a team on the rise, while the majesty of Liverpool is on the slide. The basic verity is that if the Villans are to continue their rise against the top English teams, Barry must remain the constant in the equation. He is the most consistent player in the side, captain and a crucial aspect of Martin O’Neill’s plans. His performances in the midfield of Villa has seen him become an England regular and Fabio Capello has started him in his first two games as boss.
His fellow players wish him to stay, with defender Zat Knight, striker John Carew, and keeper Scott Carson (ironically on loan from Liverpool) knowing that they need their captain to remain onboard. He is the pulse of the team, and there is no doubt that the Lions are a team on the rise and it is crucial for their augmentation that Barry continues his march towards 400 games for the club.
His efforts, though, continue to capture the attention of the glamour clubs of the league, with Chelsea also interested in Barry’s signature. Soothsayers state that perhaps poaching the star midfielder will put the necessary halt on Villa’s rise. The symbol of the club would be a huge loss, but with the club on the verge of qualifying for Europe, Barry himself would want to be part of that success. Adding to the solitary UEFA championship that they won in 1982 is something every Villa supporter desires.
Villa owner Randy Lerner is keen for Barry to stay, and has had talks with O’Neill to ensure that every attempt is made to keep the star at the club. He is keen to improve the squad, after much work has been done to establish them as contenders. By the same token, it is of no great surprise that Barry is being chased by the big clubs.
He is officially committed to the club until 2010, and this season has seen him not only appointed captain, but also as Villa’s penalty taker. He has long surpassed Alan Wright’s record of 260 Premier League appearances – and now being a regular for the national team; it will take more than £10 million to tempt the star from the club he is contributing so much towards.
But in a buyer’s market, if the price is right, he may be tempted away from the Lions to a established championship team.
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