Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
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Barry backed for recall

20 Oct 2006 - 11:31:50

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Manager Martin O'Neill has backed Gareth Barry for an England recall following an impressive start to the season by the Aston Villa captain.

The 25-year-old left-sided player has been out in the international cold since being discarded by former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2003 but, after leading a resurgent Villa up to sixth in the Premiership table, he is being widely tipped for an England recall.

"Gareth Barry has been brilliant for us this season," O'Neill said. "Every single time he is mentioned someone will throw up the argument about the fact he doesn't have genuine pace.

"Well he's not slow. People go on about it so much that when I arrived here I was expecting to see someone on crutches.

"But he's got good feet and the next game England are playing in Holland might be the ideal opportunity for him. He is worth putting back on the scene again."