Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Villa chief to persuade Barry

08 May 2008 - 07:24:24

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has suggested owner Randy Lerner is ready to persuade Gareth Barry to remain at the club with a large contract offer.

The England midfielder and Villa skipper has been the subject of a £10million approach from Liverpool in recent days, but both O'Neill and Lerner and desperate to keep him at Villa Park.

"I've spoken to Gareth and we will have further discussions when the season is over," he revealed.

"Randy has exactly the same opinion about Gareth as myself.

"I spoke to him the other day and he wants to make all attempts to keep Gareth at the club.

"He wants to try and improve the team rather than dismantle it.

"I don't think he is surprised that big teams are after the best players, but his view is he wants Villa to become a big team.

"That is why he took the club over in the first place, to help restore the club to where it was.

"Losing Gareth Barry is not really part of the plan and Randy really wants to keep him.

"There is no surprise in clubs being interested, but us wanting to do business is a different issue."