Source: SKY_Sports
Barry ready for run-in
Gareth Barry believes Aston Villa are capable of overcoming their recent wobble and securing a top-four finish.
Martin O'Neill's men have enjoyed a lofty perch in the Premier League table for the majority of the season, with UEFA Champions League qualification now well within reach.
However, a 2-2 draw at home to Stoke on Saturday, in which the Potters scored twice in the last five minutes, was followed up by a lacklustre 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday.
The dropped points from those games have allowed fifth-placed Arsenal to close to within three points with 10 games remaining.
Barry acknowledges that Villa must raise their game if they are to avoid end of season heartache, but believes a short break to Dubai, with the club not in action this weekend, will see the players return ready to face the challenges which lie ahead.
"If you look back, eventually you think there's going to be a blip in the season and it looks like it's happening now," Barry told Sky Sports News.
"We have a few days off now and hopefully we can come back refreshed.
"We have 10 Cup finals to try and push ourselves as high up the league as we can. If we can get as many points as we can hopefully we will have done enough to get a top-four place.
"There's going to be a lot more twists and turns, a lot can happen in 10 games, that's why we have to be ready.
"There is 30 points up for grabs and if we can take as many as we can, then I'm sure we will be up there."
He added: "You have to look forward rather than behind you. The talk has always been of Arsenal and ourselves and that looks like who it's going to be between. We'll keep looking forward, though, and hopefully they won't overtake us. "
Barry also confirmed that he is yet to open negotiations regarding a contract extension at Villa Park.
The England international became embroiled in a long-running transfer saga involving Liverpool last summer, with his future still the centre of much speculation.
"There are no talks about that at the moment," he said.
"I'm just taking things one season at a time and I'm sure at the end of the season, wherever we may be, we will hold talks then."
