Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill in no rush over Barry
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists he is in no rush to thrash out Gareth Barry's future.
Barry is again being strongly linked with a move away from Villa Park with his contract having just a year to run.
Liverpool tried to sign the England international last summer only for Villa to keep hold of the player after a lengthy tug-of-war between both clubs.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is expected to come back in for Barry at the end of the season, but O'Neill is refusing to worry about the situation.
Villa have opened talks with Barry over a new four-year deal as they look to try and convince the player to stay at Villa Park.
O'Neill is not averse to the idea of Barry seeing out his contract at Villa and he admits no decision on the 28-year-old's future will be taken until after England's two summer World Cup qualifiers.
"We have had discussions with Gareth's agent. They have gone very well. They have been very open and amicable and straightforward," said O'Neill.
"There are things for the player to consider and for us to think about but I have said to him there is absolutely no need to rush into anything.
"He has this game against Newcastle on Sunday and then the England internationals to look forward to. I'm sure he won't get his head around everything until those two World Cup games are over.
"After he has played in those, then there will be time for proper discussions. We would like him to stay.
"But I also understand, after giving us this extra season, if someone offers him the opportunity to play in the Champions League, that is something he would look at and we would look at."
Villa face relegation-threatened Newcastle on Sunday and O'Neill has warned he will not be showing Alan Shearer's strugglers any sympathy as he tries to secure fifth spot in the Premier League.
"I certainly don't think we will be laying down our arms. We will be going to try and win the game," added O'Neill.
"We have the possibility of finishing fifth and getting more points than last season and those are the rewards we want to try and claim.
"Alan Shearer wouldn't expect any favours from us. We are playing professional football and we will be trying to win.
"The relegation battle is very fascinating and we have been embroiled in it because we have played Hull, Middlesbrough and Newcastle in the last few games.
"But it does not come down to one game. If Newcastle lose to us, they will not be saying we are the reason they are no longer in the Premier League.
"Obviously for a club of that size, who were in the Champions League only a couple of years ago, to go down would be a big disappointment but we want to win for ourselves and have plenty to play for."
O'Neill believes that Villa have made progress this season despite fading in their pursuit to finish in the top four.
"Psychologically, if we finish fifth then people will think that is progression. But wherever we come, I think the team has improved," noted O'Neill.
"The fact we have played an extra 13 or 14 games compared with last year is overlooked when you analyse the season.
"The squad is not big enough to compete with the very big teams but we will be looking to add in the summer. I hope that can happen.
"There are things we can improve on for next season but the fact we have qualified again for European football is in itself progression."
