Martin O’Neill today re-affirmed his desire to keep captain Gareth Barry amid speculation linking his captain with a £12m move to Liverpool.
A report said the Anfield club had contacted Villa to register their interest in the England midfielder.
Boss O’Neill said last week he wants to sit down with Barry to discuss a new deal. The 27-year-old has two years left on his current contract.
“I really have no comment whatsoever to make,” said O’Neill. “There was talk about Chelsea coming in for him, and a manager is usually the last to find out about these things.
“Gareth has two years on his contract to run, he has a testimonial, and, although I’m not holding anyone to ransom, Gareth is certainly one person we will be sitting down with to discuss a new contract.”
O’Neill has warned his Villa players one slip-up could cost them their Euro dream against arch-rivals Birmingham this weekend.
Villa prepare for the Second City derby on the crest of a wave after thumping Bolton and Derby 4-0 and 6-0 respectively.
But the Villa boss has told the squad they can’t afford to switch off as they prepare to face their third successive struggling team.
“They should get it into their brains how easy it is to switch off – and how difficult it is to get back into focus again,” said O’Neill.
4 Comments
If Randy lets him leave I’m depressed
Don’t worry Mike F, Liverpool is the best club in the county and Gary Barry would be very happy there.
trevor, trevor ,trevor!! at what point are liverpool the best club in the country? the fans are not as fantastic as everyone makes out and the football that liverpool play most weeks is very, very dull. and i have that on good authority from friends who have season tickets on the kop. they only step up their game on european nights.
LIVERPOOL WILL OFFER US SMALL MONEY AND THE RETURN
OF THE GIRAFFE [ PETER CROUCH ] THEN WE WILL
RETURN TO THE LONG BALL GAME
THEN WE WILL RETURN TO LG1
WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PINCH ME !!!