Barry seeks Villa assurance
19 Apr 2008 - 20:37:23
Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry is seeking assurances from manager Martin O'Neill before pledging his long-term future to the club.
The England midfielder has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Liverpool in recent weeks despite O'Neill claiming he has absolutely no intention of allowing the 27-year-old to leave Villa Park.
O'Neill wants to discuss a new contract with Barry despite two years still remaining on his contract.
However, the Villa captain is keen to see the ambition of the club in terms of summer acquisitions before opening talks on a new deal.
"Does the squad need massive additions? I think it probably does especially if you look at the players who are probably going to be leaving," he claimed.
"The squad is pretty low in numbers at the moment and you see the likes of Olof Mellberg, a great international player, leaving the club.
"There are a couple more out of contract that are going to be moving on. That is going to leave us even thinner in terms of numbers.
"I would have thought the manager was looking at a lot of numbers coming in and not just any old numbers but quality numbers to add to the ones we've already got here.
"Is that what I want to talk to Martin O'Neill about? Yes, it would be. I assume it would have been discussed anyway.
"I would have been talking to him anyway as captain, to see where the club is heading and what we've achieved this year and what we want to achieve next year.
"I have to look at myself now and be selfish in what I want to do. I'm 27, and the next two or three years will be the peak of my career.
"I think I can still improve on my game. It's going to be a selfish situation and those questions need to be asked."