Captain Gareth Barry has claimed the faith he placed in manager Martin O’Neill when deciding to remain with Aston Villa has been more than justified.

Barry’s future looked to be away from Villa Park during the summer of 2006 when he became disillusioned at the direction in which the club was progressing after years of under-achievement.

But O’Neill’s arrival and promises about the future of the midlanders persuaded Barry to stay and sign a new four-year contract, and his form earned him an England recall.

Barry, who is hoping to shake off a knock on the hip in time to face Liverpool at Anfield on Monday, said: “Whether or not I remained at Villa was a big decision I had to make.

“I had some concerns but I put faith in the new manager and what he told me, and what he felt the club could achieve, and at the moment we are making the right strides.

“So far, it has been a great decision for myself and the club. From day one we were looking for improvement.

“Although people could say last season was a bit of an average season, we definitely made a few steps forward on and off the pitch.

“The supporters started coming back in droves and again this season the attendances have been very high.

“We went from 16th place to finishing 11th in the Premier League last season and this time around we are now being talked about for Europe.”

Barry added: “Certainly we are making the strides forward the manager told me he was confident we could achieve and it’s a case of so far, so good.

“It is obviously important we try to keep it going now during the second part of the season and the team has been playing with a lot of confidence and belief.”

Barry is confident O’Neill will be bringing in some new faces before the transfer window closes and he is being linked with a move for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

He said: “I am sure the manager realises we need some more bodies. It doesn’t take a lot to work out that if we get a few injuries or suspensions we are going to fall a bit short.

“I am sure the manager has got a few things lined up for before the end of the transfer window.”

Olof Mellberg is expected to return at right-back in place of Craig Gardner after missing the 3-1 win over Reading through illness as Villa look to extend their unbeaten league run to six games.