Barry in ransom pledge

Gareth Barry today insisted he will not hold Villa to ransom over delivering his Champions League dream.

The midfielder has made no secret of his ambition to play in Europe's elite competition, citing it as his reason for wanting to join Liverpool in the summer only for the move to collapse.

Having confirmed he will stay until the end of the season, the England star's attentions are now focused on helping Villa break into the top four.

But Barry, who will not make a long-term decision before the campaign ends, denied suggestions he will only consider staying if Villa achieve that aim.

"It would be unfair of me, it's just not going to be like that," said Barry. "I would never like to be holding people to ransom."

Barry will have just 12 months remaining on his contract by next summer and would be entitled to buy out his contract and move abroad for £2.5m under the Webster ruling.

"Would I move abroad? It's something you would never rule out but the Premier League is the place to be," he added. "I would rather be playing here."

Barry's on-off summer move to Anfield collapsed after Liverpool refused to pay the £18 million fee demanded by manager Martin O'Neill as the Reds failed to off-load Xabi Alonso.