Man of his word: Barry can leave Villa if he likes, says O'Neill

21 March 2009 01:09
Martin O'Neill has refused to break his promise to Gareth Barry and will not stand in the way of a move to play Champions League football.[LNB]Ahead of Aston Villa's trip to Liverpool tomorrow, the Irishman put the ball firmly in the player's court by keeping to the gentleman's agreement struck last summer.[LNB] Committed for now: Barry dives in to tackle Javier Mascherano whenLiverpool visited Villa Park last August[LNB] LIVERPOOL v Aston Villa: Rafa enjoys injury-free squad to choose from for the arrival of Villa [LNB]Liverpool v ASTON VILLA: Carew hoping to end Villans bad run with start at Anfield [LNB]LIVERPOOL v Aston Villa: Rafa enjoys injury-free squad to choose from for the arrival of Villa [LNB] O'Neill asked then for a further 12 months from Barry after his proposed £18million move to Anfield broke down due to a shortfall of funds.[LNB]He has received that from the ultra-professional midfielder who has even regained the captaincy and the respect of Villa fans in the absence of the injured Martin Laursen.[LNB]But with Rafael Benitez now in control of Liverpool's transfer policy, circumstances have changed on Merseyside. It was only the Reds' failure to meet Villa's asking price that caused the last deal to collapse.[LNB]With Barry, 28, likely to figure highly on Benitez's summer wishlist, O'Neill suggested that he could not 'begrudge' Barry moving on, despite the fact that he still has 12 months remaining on his contract.[LNB]'Liverpool could be back in for Gareth,' said O'Neill. 'I don't know what they are thinking.[LNB]'If we qualify for the Champions League then, subject to the terms being right, I think he would stay. There's nothing set in stone. That's what he has said himself and the agents have indicated to us. Those are all very big "ifs".[LNB]'My stance has not changed, either. I said I wanted him to give us another 12 months to see where we were. I don't think anyone would then begrudge him leaving this football club after 11 years' service.[LNB]'Also, he will have one year left on his contract instead of two. If we didn't make it, then in Gareth's case, the chance to go and play at a club involved in Champions League football is not something I could begrudge him.[LNB]'I don't know whether he's a better player. He's had a good season. The crowd have taken to him again. He might have been concerned about that last summer.[LNB]'He has given outstanding service here and in this day and age that's pretty remarkable. There's a general appreciation for what he has done.[LNB]'He accepted that if an agreement wasn't reached by all three parties that he would accept the consequences. He has. He has gone on and performed brilliantly this season.'[LNB]One factor that may work in Aston Villa's favour is the fact that this summer is the prelude to a season with a World Cup competition at the end of it. Barry's consistently high level of performance has marked him down as a regular with Villa, a privilege he is unlikely to enjoy working under Benitez. [LNB]With competition for England places expected to increase - particularly if Stuart Pearce's Under 21 side perform well at the European Championship - it may be that seeing out his time at Villa Park is a favoured option.[LNB]Barry would be made the bestpaid player in the club's history and would attain legendary status as being likely to see out his Premier League career with Villa.[LNB]Benitez will risk the wrath of O'Neill by reviving his interest in Barry, regardless of whether Villa secure an all-important Champions League place. The Liverpool boss can expect a frosty response from his Villa counterpart at Anfield tomorrow after infuriating him with repeated attempts to lure the England midfielder away last year.[LNB]The memory may still be fresh in O'Neill's mind but Benitez was adamant that there would be no ill-feeling, saying: 'When we played at Villa Park in our first game, we shook hands, and it will be the same on Sunday. We have to respect each other and I have no problem with that.[LNB]'I'm more concerned about taking three points, because if we can beat Villa we would be in a fantastic position. It would keep us in the title race and give us more confidence than ever.[LNB]'We have to do that first, though, and I had to remind the players about how we will have to be on top of our game. At the start of training, they were talking about being drawn against Chelsea in the Champions League and I said to them, "Listen, forget Chelsea and get your minds on Villa".[LNB]'It will need all our focus to beat them because it is clear they are having a great season.' [LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail