During the week, Gareth Barry revealed a promise made to him by Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2006: that if he stuck by him and committed his future to Villa, he would regain his England place.

Not only has that promise been kept, but Barry has rewarded O'Neill, the Villa faithful and all England supporters with three immaculate displays in the national shirt.

For the first time,  the Wembley sponsors announced Barry as the man of the match in the 3-0 win over Estonia. John Motson and Mark Lawrenson had already made the same decision, and at half-time Alan Hansen described the Villa skipper's first-half performance as "immense".

'How refreshing that a man-of-the-match award should go to a player who was more concerned with supporting Steven Gerrard than outplaying him'


Most pundits, in fact, see Barry as the man-of-the-match in all three of England's recent qualifiers. What a turnaround.

Barry is a superb role model for all young footballers. He has waited for his chance with patience and modesty; he has shown a willingness to play in different positions for his club in the full knowledge that it would perhaps not be best for his prospects of making the England team.

Through the Eriksson years, where Club England was all about celebrity, big-club status and reputation, he just kept working hard and determinedly to prove the selectors wrong. And it's all paid off. The sight of Lampard in his orange substitute's bib at Wembley will stay with me for a very long time.

How refreshing that a man-of-the-match award should go to a player whose football was workmanlike more than extravagant; whose passing was simple and accurate rather than 'Hollywood', and who was more concerned with supporting Steven Gerrard than outplaying him. We coaches try to teach players to play simply but effectively: Barry is the epitome of that mantra.

Barry has been a revelation for England and, also, for us Villans. I am sure that none of us - however partisan and optimistic - could have dreamed he would have had such a massive impact on the England team's style, substance and success.

I am immensely proud of our skipper. Partly for him as our respected captain. And also, perhaps even mainly, because in every club and pub I visit from now on, the call "Barry for England" is never, ever again going to be met with scorn or mockery.

What Barry has done in the last three of four weeks shows tremendous courage, immense determination, huge character and massive skill. I am a bigger fan than ever.

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