Nigel Reo-Coker believes Aston Villa’s ability to keep Gareth Barry has “set a marker” in the battle to break into the Premier League top four.

Villa return to action against Tottenham on Monday, for the first time since the transfer window closed, ensuring Barry would be their player for at least the next four months.

Martin O’Neill resisted four bids from Liverpool for the 27-year-old and would not move from his £18million valuation of the England midfielder.

Reo-Coker believes other clubs will have taken note of Villa’s stance and made them realise they were serious about making major strides forward.

The former West Ham player said: “A lot of players have been away for the best part of two weeks because of the World Cup qualifiers and U21 games but
everyone has been so pleased about Gareth staying.

“He is one of our top players. A fantastic player, a great asset to the club and a real professional. I always rated Gareth highly, even before I came to
the club last summer. It’s great to hang on to him.

“It makes us a stronger squad and a more serious contender to break into the top four. It is important we managed to hang on to him.

“It’s up to the individual to interpret the situation what has happened but it shows what we are trying to do, plain and simple. It shows how serious we are.

“So many clubs in the Premier League are considered feeder clubs but you can see how serious and ambitious this club is.

“Keeping Gareth sets a marker and I think other clubs will notice that. We’re not here to make up the numbers. We want to push onto into that top four.”

Reo-Coker can also see signs that O’Neill is assembling the kind of squad he wants at his disposal and that Villa’s ambitions persuaded James Milner to
make the £12million switch from Newcastle

The ex-Wimbledon player said: “Martin has got his masterplan. I’m sure he knew what he was going to do from a long time ago. Now he’s finally getting the
team together he wants.

“I think James Milner would have looked at the squad we’ve got here and could see we are serious contenders to achieve things.”