Aston Villa FC

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Barry singled out for praise

16 Sep 2008 - 08:21:23

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill picked out Gareth Barry for special praise after watching his side move up to fourth in the Premier League table with an impressive 2-1 victory at rock-bottom Tottenham.

Goals by Nigel Reo-Coker and Ashley Young secured Villa's second win of the season with Darren Bent's late effort being mere consolation for Juande Ramos' side.

But it was Barry, linked with a transfer to Liverpool throughout the summer, who most impressed O'Neill.

The Villa boss aid: "I thought Gareth was back to his best tonight. He was really immense.

"But then again everyone was terrific. It was a real team display but along with that we had so many flourishing individual performances too.

"Ashley (Young) was a danger every time he picked the ball up, Gabby (Agbonlahor) did great and Nigel (Reo-Coker) and Stiliyan (Petrov) were fantastic in midfield too.

"We were really brilliant in the first half and more than merited our lead. Then Ashley Young hammered in a shot to give us a two-goal cushion.

"We got a bit tired towards the end and put men behind the ball. Tottenham started to throw it into the box and did cause us a few problems. They scored and it was a worrying few minutes but we saw it through - unlike last year.

"The nerves were jangling at the end. You do get concerned, very concerned because Tottenham had nothing to lose.

"Bent scored and then they were back in it and thoughts of last year started to surface. But we saw it through and deserved to do so."