Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Tuesday March 31 2009
Time: 11:45AM
UK time is: 00:29:36
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Gareth Barry Looking To Play Top Level Footie
Villa and England midfielder Gareth Barry has been talking to the press about Villa and his future over the last week whilst on international duty.
The theme in the papers seems to be Villa have to finish in the top four or Gareth Barry is off. Thought that was pretty much a given anyway in truth, as he will only have one year left on his contract after this season.
He told the press association:
'The way we've played this season, there's no reason why we can't get enough points from the last eight games to be there or thereabouts. Anything after that, I'll deal with at the end of the season.'
He says he doesn't care about the negative comments being mentioned (I take it he means in the press?) that he is pushing away from the rest of the squad and says Villa have it in them to finish in the top four with eight games to go and says his teammates share his optimism.
'This year hasn't been a problem, competing in the Uefa Cup. I've played regularly this year. It's not the be-all and end-all playing in the Champions League, but it helps in a World Cup year playing at the top level.'
Adding that he wants to be at the top level in his career (which I don't think anyone can begrudge a player of his quality can they?) "Hopefully, Champions league football is something the future will hold for me, playing at that level. People say it can improve you. If I'm playing regularly there, hopefully my game can come on and my international football will improve.'
Question is, who in the top four will be in for him? I hear often the pundits and press question where he'd fit in at Liverpool, although the reports this week have suggested Rafa will see him as a utility man (Click Here). Manchester United don't need him so that would only leave Chelsea or Arsenal and the latter have to beat us to 4th spot first! And would Barry really be happy as a utility man - we all know Rafa, that would mean a lot of time sitting on the bench due to the Liverpool manager's rotation policy. Time will tell!
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Your Comments
Can't disagree with what he is saying, just not really sure he had the need to say it again. We all know what he wants.
The Fear
.....beat you to the 4th spot 1st...are you a top 4 side, you cant even compete in the UEFA cup...I wonder what you will be saying if you were a CL side
cool_obed
thboy deserves CL football, but in many ways I would be sorry to see him go and question whether Liverpool really need him, if they are to keep Alonso and Mascherano. In fairness the price tag could make the move over anything else, which would be a shame after such a good villa season.
oxfordspur
I'm surprised to hear you say that Man Utd don't need him Fear. With the likes of Carrick and Fletcher stinking up the middle of the OT park, I'd have thought that Man Utd could definitely do with him. Having said that, Man Utd is the last club I want to see Barry playing for, so hopefuuly Ferguson shares your sentiments! If he went to Liverpool, I think he might well play in a few positions for them given the rotation going on. That said, I think Rafa would be mad not to have him partnering Mascherano (or maybe Alonso) in the big games.
Albarnista
must admit all the press I've seen about Carrick seems to be nothing but praise? Don't spend a great deal of time watching them so not that bothered but he does seem to attract praise and does a similar job to Barry. Also they have Hargrieves to return.
The Fear
The reason that rafa WILL buy him is that Liverpool strugle to beat weaker teams, this is where he wants barry to play the majority of his games, against weaker teams when he can help keep the consistancy ticking over. I think he will go for around 10mil if we don't get champions league.
Its a big IF tho as we always finish the season well under MON and Arsenal have a really tough last 5 or 6 games.
jimbodini
Im sick of him going on about it. Its like we're being held to ransom by him. He's not bigger than our club so let him go for 8-10M and get over it. I just hope and prey we replace him with another big name. Mon needs to do his summer shopping abroad me thinks
medzy
Here here medzy, he hasn't played that well this season i dont know whether we should of got rid now if you think about it if he played his best and we got 4th it wont be as easy to leve as if we dont get CL just thinking out loud but he hasn't been that good not as last year any way
B6_COMPANY
And he is never more than 1 foot away from Stevey G when you see clips of England training every bloody time they must be in love ,training, room shareing, sleeping together
B6_COMPANY
He's just sulking about it and it just makes me feel uncomfortable. I like the sound of that steven defour we,ve been linked to. Get him in MON
medzy
Who can blame him. He wants to better himself by playing Champions League football. All credit to him, and Good Luck to him. He deserves the opportunity. He'll move on. So will AVFC.
glensider
My concern is that Gareth wont be the only Villan with itchy feet should we miss out on a top four finish. Its a distinct possibility that there might just be a bit of unrest in the camp this summer.
glensider
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