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O’Neill: Barry May Still Leave Aston Villa
The transfer story that simply won’t go away has raised its head once more.
Feb 8, 2009 5:36:55 AM
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has admitted that despite his side’s superb form this season, skipper Gareth Barry may still leave the club.
O’Neill’s side beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 yesterday, a result which moves them above Chelsea and into third place in the Premier League.
The Villans are also still in the UEFA Cup, have made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup and look odds on to claim Champions League football next season.
However, this may not be enough to keep Barry at the club and O’Neill has warned that should his side fail to claim European football for next season, they could risk losing their skipper.
“Gareth was true to his word that he would stay in January,” he told the News of the World. “If we keep the momentum going who knows? But if we don’t qualify for Europe, things will be in the balance.”
Barry was linked throughout the summer with a move to Liverpool, however the proposed deal fell through after the two clubs failed to agree a fee for the midfielder.
The situation appeared to cause a falling out between Barry and his manager with the Villa boss stripping the England international of the club captaincy.
Barry has since been in impressive form for Villa, and has temporarily regained the armband in the absence of injured skipper Martin Laursen.
However, O’Neill also suggested that should Barry decide to move on in the summer, he wouldn’t stand in his way. He concluded, “Having given this season, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him the opportunity to move.”
Gill Clark, Goal.com
O’Neill’s side beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 yesterday, a result which moves them above Chelsea and into third place in the Premier League.
The Villans are also still in the UEFA Cup, have made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup and look odds on to claim Champions League football next season.
However, this may not be enough to keep Barry at the club and O’Neill has warned that should his side fail to claim European football for next season, they could risk losing their skipper.
“Gareth was true to his word that he would stay in January,” he told the News of the World. “If we keep the momentum going who knows? But if we don’t qualify for Europe, things will be in the balance.”
Barry was linked throughout the summer with a move to Liverpool, however the proposed deal fell through after the two clubs failed to agree a fee for the midfielder.
The situation appeared to cause a falling out between Barry and his manager with the Villa boss stripping the England international of the club captaincy.
Barry has since been in impressive form for Villa, and has temporarily regained the armband in the absence of injured skipper Martin Laursen.
However, O’Neill also suggested that should Barry decide to move on in the summer, he wouldn’t stand in his way. He concluded, “Having given this season, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him the opportunity to move.”
Gill Clark, Goal.com
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