Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Barry: Arsenal in driving seat

17 Mar 2009 - 11:41:03

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Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry has conceded that Arsenal are now in the driving seat to claim the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.

Villa's recent sticky spell has opened the door for the Gunners to edge ahead of them in the race for fourth place in the Premier League table.

The Midlands club are now behind Arsenal on goal difference after taking just one point from the last 12 on offer and Barry has admitted their chances of Champions League football have now diminished.

However, the England midfielder is refusing to write off Villa's chances, despite upcoming games against title-chasers Liverpool and Manchester United.

"Liverpool (on Sunday) is set up for a big game personally and for the team," said Barry. "Losing to Spurs at the weekend was another blow. It's now advantage to Arsenal in the Champions League race.

"We have two tough fixtures coming up, Liverpool and Manchester United.

"But if we deliver a performance of the season against one, it could catapult us to a good finish."