In the close season, it was Chelsea and Spurs. Now it's the soon to be Rafa-less Liverpool. No doubt as soon as this season's last ball is kicked our skipper will be linked with a host of other clubs, and any price touted is bound to be a tempting 10-15 million.

So, with that sort of money supposedly on the table, should MON cash in or not?

I believe that everything possible should be done to keep Gareth Barry at Aston Villa Football Club. This is my argument.

Firstly, I think it's strange to question a player for versatility. Barry will probably continue to be deployed sometimes on the left, sometimes as anchor and sometimes in a box-to-box role, but over two seasons he has performed excellently in all those roles, and has played two of them well for England.

We are not talking about a "jack of all trades and master of none" here - we are talking about a player with the true quality to adjust and vary his game. We don't have many players with that genuine quality. Versatility isn't a negative.

Secondly, our midfield contains a lot of pace and a lot of youth. Stan Petrov is only starting to show signs of returning to the form that made him O'Neills first serious signing, and Reo-Coker is a battler and the team's "engine room" above all.

Where else do we have a player with the composure to put his foot on the ball; the vision and experience to pick out a pass and the maturity and wisdom to read the game as excellently as Barry does? The answer is nowhere. Barry is a streetwise player who knows Premier League football inside out and is well up to its challenges.

Thirdly, Barry has an eye for goal - and not only that, the goals he scores, because he is so streetwise, often come at crucial times. An excellent user of the dead ball and a supreme penalty taker, the club can count on eight or nine goals from him every season.

For a midfielder with a defensive bent, that is a good return. Villa are a team who run at defences and try to put pressure on defenders in their own box with natural pace: we will always win more than our fair share of penalties playing that way. We need a top-class penalty-taker to convert those opportunities, even if that seems a small point.

Fourthly, Barry is left-footed. Don't laugh - part of the reason for his triumphant England performances was the natural shape he added to the England side simply by being a left-footed player.

It adds options for Villa coming out of defence, and with the width Villa now love to play with it means both flanks are open on any counter-attack: that will always stretch opposing defences across the park and open up big spaces for Gabby in particular to exploit.

My fifth reason is less technical and more emotional. In these years of huge TV franchises and massive player wages, too many players are switching clubs just to earn more cash.

Barry has been a Villa first team player for the best part of 10 seasons, and represents loyalty and continuity - in many ways he is the "heart" of the club. Don't ever under-estimate this: the history of sport is crowded with examples where love of the badge has carried teams through. As Villa grow, progress and develop, it's vital that the heart of the club remains - I see Barry as a key part of that, especially with Ollie on the move in the summer.

I am on record on this site as wondering whether Gareth Barry is the natural captain for Villa. I'm still not sure that Reo-Coker isn't a more natural skipper.

But after a critical dip in form at the worst possible time this season against Boro and Sunderland, it's more than interesting to see that the player whose own performances seem to have been raised "above the bar" is Barry. A clear man-of-the-match against Bolton and pulling the strings at Pride Park, these have been "captain's innings".

Some of us have criticised Villa's direct style at times this season. So let's make sure we keep the most cultured footballer and the best passer of the ball we have.

Barry must stay.

Comments (28)

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Vilain of the North said:

Good article Doc, i'm in total agreeance. I do however fear that the time may come where Barry may want to look to try his trade in greener pastures. You could not blame the guy, for like mellberg, anyone with an opportunity to ply his trade at the top will find that a draw too much. I think to lose him would be a disaster at the moment, there is momentum in our climb but i fear without any major signings having proven they can come in and really turn the club around, many villa fans will be sceptical that an adequate replacement to keep villa moving forwards currently exists.

April 16, 2008

Arrlui said:

I suppose that p**ses all over Damian's argument. I'd have to agree.

April 16, 2008

Damian said:

Arrlui, it's all opinion and I can see exactly where Doc is coming from, I just don't fully agree with it.

April 16, 2008

eoin1981 said:

I have either been to or seen live 95% of all villa matches this season. If anyone tries to tell me that Barry has had a good season - then I will forever disagree. True he has been excellent these past two matches, but two good matches does not a good season make - ditto Petrov. True Barry is a good passer - his trouble is that a lack of knowledge/technique in playing the midfield position means that he doesn't find himself in the right positions to receive the ball enough(neither does Reo-Coker but thats not his job) - hence Villa's long ball reputation. Barry has been a great servant to the club - that pay him great money and he is obviously very comfortable at and has always been a regular starter. I am sure he could have moved on but probably to a club on the same level as villa. Should Villa sell him - in my opinion no. We allready have a tiny squad and cannot afford to sell any of our better players. This does not mean that I believe that GB is irreplacable or should be a definite starter, or even a central midfielder. His best performances for Villa were down the left flank and frankly his distribution from left back would be an big plus as none of our current back four are good distributors. Steve Sidwell would certainly improve the villa squad, although maybe not the team. Diego potentially would be a great signing and would be exciting for us fans and make a statement of ambition - but I expect us to sign Fulhams version of Diego - Jenny Bullard!!!

April 16, 2008

Nicky said:

As a Spurs fan would of loved to have Barry a couple of seasons back when he was rumoured to be coming. I rate him very highly. He does however suit Villas style of play. He's a good long passer so can hoof the ball to Carew, Young and Agbonlathor with accuracy and let their height and pace frighten defences.

April 16, 2008

Astonguerilla said:

I totally agree Doc, we need to keep hold of him. He's been by far our best player for years now, and still keeps delvering world class performances. I don't remember a Villa victory in the last few years that wasn't inspired by a commanding Gareth Barry performance, and he's been unbelievably loyal to us for years now, I mean this guy is Aston Villa! Letting him go for £12m would be like Liverpool selling Steven Gerrard on for the same price, it just wouldn't be right, and it would a huge blow for club. Personally I don't see this transfer happening, especially if we get a bit of european football next season.

April 16, 2008

TimC said:

eoin1981... What are you on about "his trouble is that a lack of knowledge/technique in playing the midfield position means that he doesn't find himself in the right positions to receive the ball enough" Laughable! I will be sure not to trip over your Guide Dog next time im at the Villa!

April 16, 2008

legend said:

Barry is Mr. Aston Villa - he puts the most mileage in in virtually all our games. It is noticeable that when he is off his game we don't do so well. Is he that good? The big clubs obviously think so. I would like us to keep him AND get someone else in with even a bit more quality to compete/ add even more attacking options.

April 16, 2008

curlz said:

kevin nolan

April 16, 2008 | url

David M said:

Gareth Barry is the best player at Aston Villa football club. Regardless of individual opinions on aspects of his game I am sure that 90% of Villa supporters would agree with that statement. We will not progress by letting our best players go. In addition to 'the Docs' arguments above let us not forget that Barry is a consummate professional - an example to all the young players at the club. I said it yesterday on Damian's blog, you could not replace Barry for 12million, 15million or even 25million pounds. When you assess a player like Barry you have to bear in mind that he makes the very difficult look very easy. A top, top class player who in my opinion would walk into any side (including the so called top 4) and not look out of place.

April 16, 2008

Blitzballer said:

We dont need the money (do we?) and ive heard suggestion that we could get Sidwell as a replacement if Barry goes? No thanks. Sidwell hasnt played that much for Chelsea since he joined plus i wouldnt rate him better or equal to Barry either- so i would see it as a step down in terms of quality- whereas Barry has been a constant and mostly consistent performer for Villa. Diego would be an awesome and great signing!

April 16, 2008 | url

eoin1981 said:

TimC, Those are just my opinions. Beckam and Barry are similar - great passers of the ball and good players in general. But neither are central midfielders due to their lack of technique in playing the position. Watch Villa - 80% of the time either Carson, Laursen or Bouma - launch the ball forward to Carew. We look so much more dangerous when GB gets the ball and sends a pass up to Carew or out to Young. Why does this not happen more often - and I think its because Barry does not know where to be to get posession or how to get the necessary space - and that is a technical thing. Think about it - when does GB get the appropriate opportunities to spray around his passes - either when the opposition looses posession in our half or from a corner etc......but never off the back four. Maybe this is just as much an indictment of the back four and maybe its a coaching issue - but look at the game next sunday critically and see what I am trying to say....

April 16, 2008

Nicky said:

Think Villa are a decent side but believe ye have been very very lucky this season. My best mates a Villa fan and I've lost count of the number of Sat evenings I've text him to say LUCKY AGAIN. Whether it's a lucky goal, an offside goal given or oppositions disallowed, a dodgy penalty given or not given against. You will slate me but look back over the season and you'll see. Add to that the fact you've had no real injuries like the majority of other clubs makes Villa very lucky indeed. For a few weeks things went against ye a couple of months ago and your season ended. Count yourselves lucky you didn't endure it for a whole season.

April 16, 2008

Bobby said:

Barry is too good for you. If he wants to win something he should move. He has given Villa plenty of service and chances. End of story.

April 16, 2008

AVFC_Pete said:

Personally i agree 100%. i think barry is a fantatic player who we definately need to keep. howeverm, even those that arent so sure surely agree that we need to keep him purely on the basis that MON rates him so highl. if we cant keep our club captain and someone o highly rated by the manager it sends out all the wong messages-to fans, current players, transfer targets, and even to other clubs with an eye on Young, Gabby, Laursen, Davies, etc

April 16, 2008

Hairy H said:

eoin1981, this is only my opinion mate but I think as the defensive midfielder its more hokey cokers job to pick the ball up off the back four and then progress it forward to barry or young etc.. if barry were to go back looking for the ball every 5 minutes that would leave too much of a gap between the central midfield and strikers, I think he probably has instructions not to stay too deep, the fact NRC is rubbish on the ball isn't barrys fault, for me him and young are the most inluential players on the pitch and to loose either would be a disaster.

April 16, 2008

SwissVillan said:

Casting my mind back to Ron Saunders in 1979, didn't he sell our then best player, Andy Gray, for a new club record fee and use the money to rebuild the team with fairly successful results? Now I know that we all hope Randy's millions mean we don't need to sell but it's a thought.

April 16, 2008

AK28 said:

Eoin 1981 it think you hit the nail on the head. Barry is far more influential on the left wing. I would love to see him as our left back next season doubling up with Young. There would'nt be too many better left sides in the premiership. In the centre he has looked lost to me for most of the season and im not going to be swayed by the last 2 games he went missing for when we needed him againest Boro and Sunderland. I would'nt think about selling him though.

April 16, 2008

smylhr said:

i think it all hinges on uefa qualification. if not he may want to look further a field. i pray not. utv

April 16, 2008

eoin1981 said:

Hairy H, I agree with you regarding Reo-Coker - but I dont think he can ever be that player. Another observation but I know you cant judge based on two performances. In the last two games - Petrov has played as the defensive midfielder and he has been better able to get the ball to Barry and take it off the back four. This has allowed Barry to play more forward - goalscoring and creating contributions. Perhaps Reo-cokers limitations means that Barry is being asked to do too many roles and hence looked lost in midfield.... Either way - as it see it there is a fundamental problem in midfield.

April 16, 2008

villafandan said:

nice analysis doc, spot on the money.

April 16, 2008

aron_c said:

doc and David M well said. Barry has to stay in my opinion, he's our driving force and a model professional. Would also love to see him used at the villa after his playing days are over. What baffles me is that some villa fans on here in October were calling for carson to be snapped at 10 million. The same folk would let Barry leave for 10 - 15 million. A tad short sighted

April 16, 2008

GonzoAvfc said:

i agree 100%

April 16, 2008

Anthony - Daventry said:

I agree with alot of this and it is good to see the loyalty element coming through, however just for a minute place yourself in the shoes of Gareth Barry.... In your 28th year and knowng your next contract will potentially be your last - you have the opportunity to play for a club capable of winning the champions league whist really cementing your place in the England world cup squad (qualifiers) for the first time in your career, this is not an easy decision and MON should take the decision out of his hands and tell him to forget the media circus and to get used to the fact that he will be here for another year at least - sod the return, its not our F**k*n money and it will not buy us another England International as a replacement!

April 16, 2008

nan was a fan said:

eoin 1981. I agree he's playing in the wrong position. keep him and play him on the left.

April 16, 2008

kohoutek said:

I can understand the observation about Barry looking lost...On a number of occasions this season I've thought central midfield for us looked curiously devoid of claret and blue. I'd wondered whether MON was asking the squad to channel the opposition down the middle as a result. But I think part of it is the back four, who have been a bit of a problem. They tend to lump the ball up, bypassing midfield and pulling the team out of shape. They also don't clear very well, often seeming to eschew the simple (putting the ball in touch), and trying something more risky, then getting caught out. But what MON seems to have hit on with his diamond might just be the answer for the players on hand. Barry's looked better, Petrov's looked better...They've all looked better. With Stan taking the ball and linking up play in the middle, there's been a world of difference. A roving roll suits NRC's engine and pace, as it has done Ashley's creativity. Not sure why it took so long, and it remains to be seen if it will continue to work, but I think the supporting cast's lack of positional awareness has hurt Barry's game, and now it seems that it's been put right, allowing Barry to shine. Gabby's goal against Bolton was pure class, and Barry was central to it. That's what he can do, and what Villa can look like. Granted, Bolton, but Utd wouldn't have looked any prettier than that move. Barry's run was perfect, and the first-time cross...brilliant. He's very very good on the ball. There are better, but not many. And yes, he is the heart and soul of Villa. And the talisman should stay. Tell the scousers we want Gerrard.

April 17, 2008

Peter said:

Here, here - at last some sense from a blogger on this website.

April 17, 2008

leawaylittleman said:

Let's worry about departures and arrivals at the end of the season and get behind the team for the last 4 games. This could be our best season in years or yet another "should of, could of" jobbie.

April 19, 2008

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