Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Tuesday May 26 2009
Time: 12:34PM
UK time is: 09:33:05
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Randy Lerner Speaks!
This is nice to see, Villa owner Randy Lerner has spoken and says he is optimistic that they can convince Gareth Barry to stay.
Lerner said: 'We have discussed a new contract with Gareth. I would give Barry the highest ranking possible. He is the best. He is a gentleman, a great player, a pleasure to be around, a leader, a great captain. I don't think anyone could do better than Gareth on any level. Am I optimistic Gareth will stay? Yes, I am optimistic. It is my nature.'
He also says that Martin O'Neill will deal with the situation as normal and added he would he happy to forgo any money for Barry and to let the player stay another season and leave on a free rather than lose him now.
'Am I happy for him to wind down his current contract? That's his decision. If it means he is staying another year, I am absolutely happy. Even though Villa would lose £10-£12 million? Yes, absolutely. You are talking about a player who is an integral part of your potential success.'
He says the fee is secondary to what players like Barry can achieve for a club.
'You are keeping him on the team, the team continues to compete and you are rewarded with successful results. There is more to do it than foregoing money.'
He also disagrees with those that say Barry leaving would give out the wrong signals for the club, especially after Barry has been with Villa for 11 years!
He also warns potential suitors off players like Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young saying categorically there is no way he can imagine that Villa would sell them.
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Your Comments
Well I wouldn't say no to a good offer for Agbonlahor. If say, £7million was offered, I think it would have to be considered.
young_jonah
Well I wouldn't say no to a good offer for Agbonlahor. If say, £7million was offered, I think it would have to be considered.
young_jonah
7 million, what are you on, Gabby might not be the most prolific striker in the league but he still provides a lot of assists, is young and still learning. I think he has probably out performed most English strikers in the league this season, I would say Rooney is the best English striker but scored the same amount of goals with less assists.
smirnoffshox
7 million, what are you on, Gabby might not be the most prolific striker in the league but he still provides a lot of assists, is young and still learning. I think he has probably out performed most English strikers in the league this season, I would say Rooney is the best English striker but scored the same amount of goals with less assists.
smirnoffshox
smirnoffshox - It's alright mate - you see alot of fans know the exact value of a player you know.They know better than the manager (maybe they are privvy to stuff we don't know)
They bandy about figures (in another thread someone mentions 5 or 6 players - total value around £40 Million and done deal). You see playing the manager lark and knowing a good footballer is easy. Read a Lerner interview in the E&S and what he says makes more sense than quite a few on here. He is happy with the progress and the manager and how the season has finished - but we all know better don't we?. I for one am happy with the progress - more points season on season - top 6 twice - steadying a sinking ship that was into a team that WILL go places (With or without MON) as the foundations are/have been laid by Lerner and MON.
nazvfc
smirnoffshox - It's alright mate - you see alot of fans know the exact value of a player you know.They know better than the manager (maybe they are privvy to stuff we don't know)
They bandy about figures (in another thread someone mentions 5 or 6 players - total value around £40 Million and done deal). You see playing the manager lark and knowing a good footballer is easy. Read a Lerner interview in the E&S and what he says makes more sense than quite a few on here. He is happy with the progress and the manager and how the season has finished - but we all know better don't we?. I for one am happy with the progress - more points season on season - top 6 twice - steadying a sinking ship that was into a team that WILL go places (With or without MON) as the foundations are/have been laid by Lerner and MON.
nazvfc
Well said nazvfc, and what are u on young jonah. UP THE VILLA. Gabby is a good player who is still learning great 1st half of season poor second needs a good rest now thou.
astonsteve
Well said nazvfc, and what are u on young jonah. UP THE VILLA. Gabby is a good player who is still learning great 1st half of season poor second needs a good rest now thou.
astonsteve
well said m8, Im not going to deny that i was pretty gutted we ended up 10 points behind Arsenal in 6th place after being ahead of them for so long, but some progress has still been made and if we can do the impossible and replace Laursen this tranfer window and bring another couple of quality players in then there is no reason we can't get even more points next season. UP THE VILLA!
smirnoffshox
well said m8, Im not going to deny that i was pretty gutted we ended up 10 points behind Arsenal in 6th place after being ahead of them for so long, but some progress has still been made and if we can do the impossible and replace Laursen this tranfer window and bring another couple of quality players in then there is no reason we can't get even more points next season. UP THE VILLA!
smirnoffshox
Positivity rocks! Makes a nice change to see a few feet-on-the-ground but positive posts on here - it has all been so negative for the past few weeks. UTV!
BobTheBuilder
Positivity rocks! Makes a nice change to see a few feet-on-the-ground but positive posts on here - it has all been so negative for the past few weeks. UTV!
BobTheBuilder
Nah, i would still be delighted if we got £7million + for him.
young_jonah
Nah, i would still be delighted if we got £7million + for him.
young_jonah
smirnoffshox, you are right there mate progress has been made, 1 to 2 points more than last year, only spent £40million to get it mind.
young_jonah
smirnoffshox, you are right there mate progress has been made, 1 to 2 points more than last year, only spent £40million to get it mind.
young_jonah
hmmm, 2 points more and europe experience, a record away winning streak and proof that this team can compete against the top 4. Not bad for £40 million. Where would we have been if we had not spent the money, not in the top 6. Good season! I don't think Lerner would be talking about GB in this tone unless he is more sure than he is letting on that he will stay, why run the risk of loosing face when there is no need. UTV.
RiF
hmmm, 2 points more and europe experience, a record away winning streak and proof that this team can compete against the top 4. Not bad for £40 million. Where would we have been if we had not spent the money, not in the top 6. Good season! I don't think Lerner would be talking about GB in this tone unless he is more sure than he is letting on that he will stay, why run the risk of loosing face when there is no need. UTV.
RiF
Young Jonah in this league u have to spend 40 million to stand still, it is progress although i do think this summer and season will be important for Mon. UP THE VILLA
astonsteve
Young Jonah in this league u have to spend 40 million to stand still, it is progress although i do think this summer and season will be important for Mon. UP THE VILLA
astonsteve
RiF, totally agree. What RL has said and the fact Petrov has signed after he allegedly seeked assurances that Barry would stay before he signed makes me think Barry is going to stay. Astonsteve, couldn't agree more this is a big summer for us.
young_jonah
RiF, totally agree. What RL has said and the fact Petrov has signed after he allegedly seeked assurances that Barry would stay before he signed makes me think Barry is going to stay. Astonsteve, couldn't agree more this is a big summer for us.
young_jonah
folks, people are allowed opinions, that is what football is all about? No need for sarcasm aimed at a poster, if he doesn't rate Gabby that is his opinion, respect it and then debate it. I dislike this happy clapper crap, if you don't agree you are wrong. Fans pay their money and are entitled to their views without being castigated as negative or bluenoses.
The Fear
£7million for Gabby, YJ are you ****ing mad!??!?! LOL :O)
The Fear
folks, people are allowed opinions, that is what football is all about? No need for sarcasm aimed at a poster, if he doesn't rate Gabby that is his opinion, respect it and then debate it. I dislike this happy clapper crap, if you don't agree you are wrong. Fans pay their money and are entitled to their views without being castigated as negative or bluenoses.
The Fear
£7million for Gabby, YJ are you ****ing mad!??!?! LOL :O)
The Fear
I do wonder with players when they end being potential/still learning (as I've often said about Gabby this season) and when they are at an age where people can pass opinions?
The Fear
I do wonder with players when they end being potential/still learning (as I've often said about Gabby this season) and when they are at an age where people can pass opinions?
The Fear
Lovely to see Randy speak, I know the press would love him to do it a bit more but I quite like the way he has quietely gone on with his business. Massive summer for Villa and they know it as well as us as they also saw us push the top four and know 100% why we then fell away at the end.
The Fear
Lovely to see Randy speak, I know the press would love him to do it a bit more but I quite like the way he has quietely gone on with his business. Massive summer for Villa and they know it as well as us as they also saw us push the top four and know 100% why we then fell away at the end.
The Fear
but would you accept £15m for gabby?
avflell
but would you accept £15m for gabby?
avflell
No would not accept that - we are no longer a selling club like we were once. We build around our better players - we don't sell them to start all over again - as Mr Lerner has stated.
nazvfc
No would not accept that - we are no longer a selling club like we were once. We build around our better players - we don't sell them to start all over again - as Mr Lerner has stated.
nazvfc
The question is not whether we should sell Gabby, or anyone else, for £7m, £15m or £100m. The question is can we be certain that we would be able to get a better player in to replace him? Don't say that with £10m we could get Ronaldo etc. We can't. They won't come unless we have CL football..
chocolate teapot
The question is not whether we should sell Gabby, or anyone else, for £7m, £15m or £100m. The question is can we be certain that we would be able to get a better player in to replace him? Don't say that with £10m we could get Ronaldo etc. We can't. They won't come unless we have CL football..
chocolate teapot
Did anyone else get that warm fuzzy feeling reading the report that "Learner speaks"? I feel like Randy has put his big yankee arm round my shoulders, gently rocking me while whispering in my ear this summers transfer activity is all in hand. Feels.....so.....so....warm....
dibanio
Did anyone else get that warm fuzzy feeling reading the report that "Learner speaks"? I feel like Randy has put his big yankee arm round my shoulders, gently rocking me while whispering in my ear this summers transfer activity is all in hand. Feels.....so.....so....warm....
dibanio
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