Source: SKY_Sports
Barry - No tiredness at Villa
Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry insists he and his team-mates are as fit as ever as the make-or-break period approaches in the Premier League.
Martin O'Neill's side are hoping to book a place in next season's UEFA Champions League and they are well positioned - six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal - to achieve the neccesary top-four domestic finish.
However, there have been suggestions that Villa's thin squad could run out of gas in the final stages of the campaign after their pre-season was cut short as a Uefa Cup spot was booked via successful participation in the Intertoto Cup.
Villa's 2008/09 European campaign came to an end on Thursday as a shadow squad, which was missing Barry along with seven other first-team regulars following O'Neill's decision to rest star players, was defeated at CSKA Moscow.
But while Barry recognises players will benefit from a breather, the England international is adamant Villa's squad - who face Stoke on Sunday and Manchester City on Wednesday - are not struggling for fitness, saying: "I'm not feeling jaded.
Thick and fast"But the games can catch up with you when they are coming thick and fast, and recently it has been like that, so we will see what happens.
"When you look at the stats and you see other teams are playing less games than you, then it is obviously going to help them.
"We're not using tiredness as an excuse. We're fit people, but if a rest can help, I'm sure the manager will look at it.
"When you've not been involved in European football, as well as the domestic competitions, then there is a danger.
"You're not sure how you're going to react, but that's where the manager and fitness coach have to do their homework, and they will judge what needs to be done."
