Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill: Barry could make Villa exit
England midfielder Barry looked set to realise that dream with a move to Sunday's opponents Liverpool last summer only for the move to break down after the Reds failed to meet Villa's £18million asking price.[LNB]O'Neill asked Barry to play for another season with Villa to see if they could achieve that objective and they have been challenging strongly for a top-four finish.[LNB]But Barry will only have 12 months left of his contract after this campaign and O'Neill is unlikely to stop him from moving if Villa fail to break into the elite.[LNB]Villa boss O'Neill said: "Will Liverpool come back in for Barry? I don't know. This topic goes into a lull for a month and then comes back around again and I don't know how many times I've said the same thing.[LNB]"I don't know what Liverpool are thinking and it is not my concern at the moment.[LNB]"In the summertime - and I will repeat what I've said before - if we qualify for the Champions League, then subject to the terms (of a new contract) being right, I think there would be a decent chance that Gareth Barry would stay.[LNB]"There is nothing set in stone but that is what he has said himself and the agents have also indicated 'fine'.[LNB]"My stance has not changed. I said to him last year, with two years left of his contract to run, if he gave us another year, he could see where we are, see what we are doing.[LNB]"I don't think anyone would begrudge him leaving the club (if they fail to qualify for the Champions League) having given almost 11 years' service."[LNB]O'Neill added: "Gareth also would have one year left of his contract instead of two and so circumstances would change. That is the viewpoint and, if we didn't make it, we would look at a number of things.[LNB]"But, in Gareth's case, the chance to go and play at a club involved in the Champions League is not something I would probably begrudge him.[LNB]"I think he has enjoyed this season. I think the crowd have taken to him, I think he might have been concerned about that after the events of last summer.[LNB]"The crowd's overall picture is of the service he has give here and there is a genuine appreciation of what he has done at the club."[LNB][LNB] Prem W/O Man U and Chelsea Win Outright w/o Chelsea/Man Utd: Aston Villa 20/1[LNB]
