Source: SKY_Sports
Petrov waits on Barry decision
Stiliyan Petrov has admitted Gareth Barry's future at Aston Villa will have a direct bearing on his own.[LNB] The Bulgarian midfielder has revealed that were Barry to call time on his Villa Park career this summer, then that would have a 'big influence' on his own his outlook.[LNB]The England international was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool last year and interest is once again expected to resurface once the pre-season transfer window re-opens.[LNB]Petrov insists that for now resolving his own contractual issue remains at the back of his mind, despite having only 17 months to run on his current deal, but has revealed that he wants to see the club prove their ambition before he commits to anything.[LNB]"The manager will try to show everybody that he wants to build something big here and one of the things is to keep Gareth Barry because he is maybe the most important player at the club," he said.[LNB]"If we keep Gareth it will also send out a message to all of the players, a big message that we are in for something big here next year.[LNB]"We all hope he is going to stay because he is one of the best midfielders in the country and you try your best to keep him if you want to achieve something."[LNB]PrioritiesMartin O'Neill has made persuading Petrov to pen a contract extension his top priority before the end of the season, but the 29-year-old playmaker claims no discussions have been held as yet.[LNB]"If the club is interested to offer me a new contract, they will contact my agent and speak about that," he added.[LNB]"It is no priority at the moment. There are other priorities at the moment - for the club to finish in the top four of the Premier League and to go as far as we can in the Uefa Cup.[LNB]"That is the most important thing."[LNB]
