Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Milner hopes for Barry stay

24 May 2009 - 11:45:55

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Aston Villa midfielder James Milner has urged the club to pull out all the stops to keep hold of Gareth Barry.

The England midfielder is expected to be the subject of interest from Liverpool again this summer after coming close to joining the Reds 12 months ago.

But despite Villa missing out on Champions League qualification this season - something Barry suggested was required for him to remain at Villa Park - Milner is hoping the former club captain can be persuaded to stay on.

"Keeping Gareth or not is not down to me. I just come in and play football," he said.

"That will be decided by the manager and obviously Gareth and his agent.

"But Gareth is obviously going to be a wanted man because he is a top-class player and that's what happens when you are playing for a big football club.

"I am sure there are clubs going to come in for a few of our players this year, but that is what happens when you have quality at the club.

"Hopefully we can keep the squad and maybe add to it and go again next year.

"We will see what happens but hopefully that is the case."