It is one of the inevitable stories of the summer and it wouldn't matter if we finished third, it would still start up, but because we're no longer in the top four and Gareth Barry has already publicly said he wants Champions League football next season, I don't suppose we should be surprised it's started early.

But if you were Gareth Barry, who would you pick, because it appears now, if the rumours are to be believed, that Arsenal are also interested.

I mean, if we are currently part of the two teams currently challenging to break into the top four, along with Everton, both of these teams are part of that group of two looking at breaking the top two monopoly of Manchester United and Chelsea.

While at the start of the season supporters from Arsenal and Liverpool will have much greater hope than most other sets of supporters of winning the Premier League, it soon diminishes.

Arsenal last one it in the 2003/04 season and Liverpool never have. You've actually got to go back to the 1989/90 season for when Liverpool last won the top flight league and if you're looking just at the Premier League, we've finished as high as them.

But this isn't about who is the bigger club with us included, it's clear as day that Liverpool and Arsenal are both bigger than us and at the beginning of each season they've got every right to feel more confident than us, but if you were Gareth Barry, where would you go? I suppose the question really is, which of the two has the better chance to break into the top two?

The smart money has to be Liverpool, but Arsenal will be an attractive package also. But, for a moment, pretend you are Gareth Barry and pick one and explain why.

Naturally, this could all be pointless as we can still finish where Gareth Barry wants us to finish, but even Martin O'Neill accepts it will be hard to keep the player if we don't, even though he is still confident we can.

Gareth has spent 10 years here. If we don't make the top four no-one could begrudge him a move.

Martin O'Neill, March 13th 2009

Comments (59)

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Josh said:

... Can't see Barry being a regular for either time if i'm honest. He'd be 3rd choice at both, with Mazzy and Alonso at Liverpool and Rosicky and Fabregas at Arsenal. If he really wants first team football and Champions League, he'd have to stick with us and wait.

Comment 1, made on March 16, 2009 at 12.59 pm

Na-Sei said:

... If I was Barry I would choose Arsenal!!! The prospect of teaming up with Fabregas, Arshavin, Eduardo would be to good to turn down plus he's more likely to play more games at Arsenal!!!

Comment 2, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.01 pm

Mat Wade said:

... Arsenal fan here. Think GB would be best served staying at Villa. He's first choice playing for a good manager in an improving team, who's english core will help withstand any eufa meddling with nationaliy limits. Alonso's superb form and the purchase of Riera, and the improvement of denilson and arshavin's arrival would both limit his chances of being a first team regular at either. He's been at villa 10 years, this is the best team they've had in this time and he's an england regular. He'd be stupid to leave in my opinion.

Comment 3, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.08 pm

Runtings said:

... i think the gooners would be a more enjoyable footballing experience for garath and he would give them drive and energy from midfield but liverpool are tghe bigger club so he will proberbly go there..i dont think the booing of our playing will help in him staying either we seem to turn on our boys as soon as poor form kicks in and personally i am gutted that we cant help them throu a rough patch with our full support its not as if we have better players than the teams we are fighting for champs lge is it ? come on villans support the lads for the rest of the season rain or shine

Comment 4, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.08 pm

TT said:

... I would probably choose Arsenal: 1) Arsenal have a tendency to play all their players...and if you are a very good player (Gareth Barry) then your chances of playing would be even higher than it already is. 2) Aresne Wenger believes in his players, if they don't show their true potential right away he is willing to wait until it emerges and doesn't just offload them. Besides all his players love him, so he must be doing something right. 3) I think with more time, this Arsenal will achieve something...but only if Arsne Wenger retains his current squad and then strengthen it. Overall, I would choose Arsenal because it seems like a very nice place to play your football. But Liverpool would be a great choice too, and they look most likely to get Barry.

Comment 5, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.10 pm

Jim said:

... As an Arsenal fan I sincerely hopes he stays at Villa of goes to Liverpool.No offense but I don't think he has the pace for Arsenal and we already have a couple of lame ducks in there anyway.

Comment 6, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.17 pm

Arsenal Fan said:

... I am an arsenal fan, I think Villa still have a good chance of getting in the top four, trust me, u have what we dont that is team spirit. I like Villa because of the great manager and young players like abonglohor, milner and young. Maybe not this season but surely if u aim to keep players like Barry u will get there, hopefully in the place of either Liverpool or Chelsea. Ps: Id love to see Barry play with Cesc, what a partnership that would be.

Comment 7, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.33 pm

Muppet said:

... You are missing the point, Barry is not good enough for Arsenal.

Comment 8, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.35 pm

Damian said:

... Muppet Is your real name Bill?

Comment 9, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.39 pm

King Torres said:

... Liverpool fan here (obviously). If he is looking to break into the top 2 Liverpool would be the better club. Past 3 seasons finished 3rd in 2 and look like a possible 2nd this year. If he wants to play CM prob Arsenal as at Liverpool they are light on LM with Riera no longer living up to early promise. His best bet stay at Villa. Hate to admit it, as I don't like the man, but feel Martin O'neil could steer villa into a top 4 side at Arsenals expense next season, unless Arsenal buy a new CD and CM!!!

Comment 10, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.39 pm

Vijay said:

... Arsenal for me, great stadium, great manager, some great players in Fabregas, Adebayor, and Walcott, Barry would have a starting place there, while at Liverpool he would be in and out and end up out altogther in 2 years maximum like Crouch! Bigger question, who would we replace Barry with??

Comment 11, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.51 pm

SAM said:

... id take barry just to add to the squad, and thats it really he would not put xabi out of mascherano, but having a good solid proven premiership footballer at the club to come in and give us options and fill in for nmascherano or xabi would be great to have, that the kind of depth you need now to at least challenge all year long. i would love to see lucus go, and barry brought in, but not for 18 mill that is a joke, hes not actually won or done anything like enough to be set at that price tag... id pay 10 -12 max for barry, if not then no deal,

Comment 12, made on March 16, 2009 at 1.54 pm

Jake Gardner said:

... barry played quality yesterday would be gutted if he leaves, he can be replaced but it would be very hard to

Comment 13, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.14 pm

Jake Gardner said:

... arsenal fan .. its nice to see some arsenal fans on here not shouting there mouths off thank you, i think barry and cesc would be very dangerous ... maybe cesc could coem to villa instead

Comment 14, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.16 pm

Roger-that said:

... Arseanl Fan, have you been watching the team recently, these boys have tremendous team spirit otherwise they wouldn't be in fourth spot with all they've fought against this season, including non-supporters like you!! Move to the midlands, I've had enough of so called fans like you this season. And King Torres, we've conceded five goals in the last fifteen games, you read too many papers.

Comment 15, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.22 pm

Gerrard Rules said:

... Liverpool fan here. Personally i think barry would be better going to arsenal. He'd get more games there as Denilson is crap. There's no way he'd get ahead of mascherano and alonso. Either way you guys should have sold him last season as his value will go down by half now that he'll be on his final year of his contract.

Comment 16, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.23 pm

VerilyVilla said:

... Barry is the best midfielder in the Premiership, bar NONE. He would be first choice in either team, and would start for both Chelsea and Man Ure too. It would be hilarious to see Gerrard sold, Barry bought, and Liverpool winning the league. Liverpool are limited by Gerrard. He is their most important player, and makes them what they are, but what they are is not a title-winning, or even serious title challenging side. He is like a black hole, sucking footballing talent into himself and making those around him lesser players. In contrast, and to continue the cosmological analogy, Barry is a star, sustaining his teammates and allowing them to flourish. Fabregas would learn a huge amount from GB, and they would make a formidable partnership, but then again it wouldn't be a surprise if Barry would in fact be a replacement for Fabregas, and that wouldn't be an attractive proposition for Barry. If either Chelsea or Man Ure bought him, they would dominate for the forseeable future. Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson; none of these players are fit to tie Barry's laces, so what an improvement Barry would make to Man Ure. If Barry were interested in winning trophies with a soulless, corrupt corporation, fronted by the most despicable figure in football, then Man Ure might be an attractive option. Personally, if he were to go to an English club, I would rather see him go to Chelsea. Chelsea are not, never have been, and I don't think ever will be, a proper 'big' club. I just don't see them as rivals to Villa's tradition. Anyway, a midfield of Barry, Essien and Lampard would be the strongest in world football, and it would be inconceivable that any side would be able to compete with them. Man Ure are the only team not to have been linked with Barry of these four, which is unsurprising given that Ferguson couldn't spot a decent player if he was nutmegged, kicked up in the air, and had his nose tweaked by one. But he has been known to get lucky in the transfer market, so who knows? The real issue here is that serious contemplation is being given to Barry's future. It will be the darkest day in a long while if Barry leaves. Not only is he the best player we've had since the Little reign, but it would mean we've thrown away a Champions League finish, and probably be condemned to years of mediocrity, i.e. the Europa League. The only way we could finish outside the top 4 and retain Barry's services is if we lose MoN and bring in Mourinho. Barry's an intelligent guy, and I think he would recognise that under Mourinho, and with suitable backing from Lerner (i.e. a continuation of the kind of backing MoN has had), Villa would be a dominant force in a pretty short space of time. So the real question is this; would Mourinho take on a club and a team with huge potential, assume a level of control he would never have had before, and enhance his already considerable reputation? If Lerner has the vision, I could see it happenning. It might even be worth finishing 5th to see it.

Comment 17, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.35 pm

Chris Harper said:

... I know its not a very debatable answer but I don't even want to think about the possibility!

Comment 18, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.47 pm

Damian said:

... VerilyVilla Barry is the best midfielder in the Premiership, bar NONE. He isn't. In fact, he might not even be in the top ten when you consider the likes of Fabregas, Rosicky, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Joe Cole, Deco, Gerrad, Alonso, Mascherano just from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Comment 19, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.54 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Actually, bugger it! I would chose Arsenal for the simple fact that the 'fat waiter' is the last person I would want to work for.... Players do well (e.g Keane/Yossi Benayoun) then he goes and puts them on the bench for no apparent reason. Barry could also become an outcast like Crouch and Keane and I can imagine him being sold on after a few unsuccessful years. DON'T DO IT BARRY!! Just think, you could be playing as CB soon, just because O'Neill thinks you'll be better off with the experience!

Comment 20, made on March 16, 2009 at 2.55 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... If I were Barry I would want to be nearer to my Mistress (Gerrard) but at the same time I wouldn't want my house getting robbed whilst I was at training. A move to London would suit quite nicely but It's over busy, smoggy and the Wife and Mistress might get annoyed if he started hanging round with the Tottenham boys at 15 different clubs per night on a school day. Now if I were really Barry, and loved the club that had supported me for the past however many years, I'd never want to have to face my old team, plus at that age his body starting to tighten up so i'd opt for a nice warmer climate and a slower paced game somewhere near the sea. If I were Berry i'd be pushing for a move to Roma

Comment 21, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.00 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Sorry I meant Barry not Nick Berry

Comment 22, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.02 pm

Nick said:

... Gotta say I wondered why it had gone quiet over at the old blog. Glad you're keeping this up though Damian, I don't bother going anywhere else apart from the Vital site to look at what people have to say about Villa, even if it gets a bit heated here. Being a Villa fan I would tell Barry to stay, but I do think if he was to leave Chelsea would be better than both the options. I think they'll shed some dead wood in the summer and whoever the manager is they'll probably be told by scouts that Barry is a consistent, technically sound player with a brilliant passing ability. If he links up with Lampard I think he'll do brilliantly. So I would say Chelsea rather than Arsenal or Liverpool.

Comment 23, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.03 pm

Damian said:

... Van Dutch The plan is to keep things under more control here ... especially in the comments section which is public.

Comment 24, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.15 pm

Stephen Gilligan said:

... After yesterdays performance doubt either team would want him. Stan should be captain,a captain should lead the team when the chips are down,look at the likes of gerrard in the big games he always pops up with a goal or two.stan was the one trying to push us on.so if one of them teams want Barry I think we should get the best price we can.He just doesn't seem to do it against good teams he ran the show against stoke,but went missing yesterday.Lets hope Man City want him we may get a nice tidy wedge.

Comment 25, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.20 pm

patient said:

... Benites, unlike Wenger, does not has the patience to let you play to your potential. I dare say Barry would only last a season if he goes to Liverpool. Just see how many players has Benites off load for 1-2 seasons after buying them. It is not ideal to play for him.

Comment 26, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.22 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... After yesterdays performance doubt either team would want him. Stan should be captain,a captain should lead the team when the chips are down,look at the likes of gerrard in the big games he always pops up with a goal or two. We've got our real captain back soon don't worry about that. I bet old Martin Laursen is getting proper angry having to watch recent performances and knowing theres been nothing he can do about it!!

Comment 27, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.23 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Oh, and according to News Now we've already lined up a replacement - http://www.clubcall.com/totten...74398.html - Give me strength...

Comment 28, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.27 pm

adam curley said:

... if he wants to leave let him go to the highest bidder. push milner inside and buy a winger. who i dont know but someone quick like ash

Comment 29, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.43 pm

Christian said:

... I think it'll be Liverpool who get him, they've recouped 'most' of the money they spent on Keane and I'm pretty sure they still fancy the 2 or 3 from Gerrard/Barry/Alonso/Mascherano setup. Plus he'll be half the price they were quoted last summer. And I think the Liverpool fans will see the end of Lucas at the club- he gets more stick than Gabby Replacement-wise I'd rather not see Huddlestone, he's decent but not Top 4/5/6 quality. I'd like Arteta (no chance though)

Comment 30, made on March 16, 2009 at 3.52 pm

john said:

... barry is too old to play 4 arsenal hence no way arsene wud pay 4 that money. and he is a kind of player 4 mid table teams not a champions league team like arsenal wud rather keep song who is young and promising

Comment 31, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.05 pm

Christian said:

... No fans from the Top 4 teams ever rate Barry (or any player who isn't already in the Top 4)! Unbelievable. Do these people not watch football?

Comment 32, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.14 pm

Damian said:

... john in may, andrei arshavin will be the same age as barry ..

Comment 33, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.18 pm

steve t said:

... no reply button damian i wanted to laugh at the muppet bill comment

Comment 34, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.19 pm

steve t said:

... adamskin b30 said: ... if he wants to leave let him go to the highest bidder. push milner inside and buy a winger. who i dont know but someone quick like ash like lennon?

Comment 35, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.22 pm

Damian said:

... not so silent bob not yet. there will be something soon .. but you can quote others right now

Comment 36, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.41 pm

Goldie 7 said:

... Name me something Barry brings to the way we play apart from holding the ball up good every now and then, he can't score long shots, he rarely headers a goal in, never makes a killer pass, makes stupid passes to no-one then trys to get it back and gives away the foul, i dont hate the guy and i'm not singling him out but i'm the first to admit when he's been out of games we have looked even worse!! *Were we winning more games with sidwell playing does anyone know the stats since sidwell was dropped Lennon was having a bad spell at the start of the season(s.o.t.s) now he's looking class just what we need, Young is looking the complete opposite. WE NEED SOMEONE ON THE END OF THE CROSS in the box a dark horse type striker we've knew this for like 3 years now and its so boring going over old ground, We are short of 10 first players is fred still about why cant villa get a loan until the e.o.t s

Comment 37, made on March 16, 2009 at 4.59 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... arsenal would be his best bet. but he will struggle to get in either team imo. he's better off staying with us

Comment 38, made on March 16, 2009 at 6.42 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... goldie 7 you would rather have sidwell than barry!!!

Comment 39, made on March 16, 2009 at 6.44 pm

Dan Naylor said:

... I think he is a man of his word tbh!! he will stay methinks

Comment 40, made on March 16, 2009 at 6.52 pm

Goldie 7 said:

... av dan 78 No i wouldn't when sidwell was playing we didn't lose as much games im not to sure on the stats but surely he is due a recall, lets get it back to 451 there has been no improvement on our team since he's been out so we might aswell play him and shorey on sunday.

Comment 41, made on March 16, 2009 at 7.23 pm

FatK said:

... I hope the Fans give GB there blessing like they did with OM. loosing a chance of silverware, false promises about Targets & the clubs true ambitions No player should be pulled from a European game to save there legs against a team like stoke you have One chance in a cup. It is bad enough for the fans that will turn up no matter who the Chairman or managers is. But for a player there carreer could be over tommorrow. Look at the Gabby Situation most have raved about him for most of the season Supported MONs Decision re Moscow now doing a uturn better than an italian tank driver

Comment 42, made on March 16, 2009 at 8.01 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Gareth Barry: Ahem, excuse me Mr. Gaffer, can I have a word please? Martin O'Gaffer: You want to have a word? Of course laddy, step inside, step inside, and close the door. GB: Is there any chance of you buying Stevie Lovehandles this summer? MoG: Is there any chance of me buying Stevie Gettard? No, absolutely none, absolutely none. GB: In that case boss, can I haver a transfer to Liverpoop? MoG: You want a transfer to Liverpoor? Of course wee laddy, of course you can. Bye bye.

Comment 43, made on March 16, 2009 at 8.45 pm

daniel wheeler said:

... goldie 7 if we go 4-5-1 we should play milner in the middle with barry and petrov, and have gabby, ash and carew as the front three. sidwell gets nowhere near my idea of villa's best eleven.

Comment 44, made on March 16, 2009 at 8.57 pm

Muppet said:

... I will retract my previous comment. I've not seen a lot of Barry, but I'm sure he could get into the Arsenal squad. However, the tone of the article implies that he would become a key arrival. He wouldn't. Denilson's OPTA stats and all round play has just eclipsed Barry, and this is in Denilson's first full season. Denilson will improve by at least 20%. Barry is 28. Most Arsenal fans would now opt for Denilson with back up of Ramsey, Diaby and Song.

Comment 45, made on March 16, 2009 at 9.27 pm

Nik Skilton said:

... If I was Garry, I'd stay at the club I am at

Comment 46, made on March 16, 2009 at 9.27 pm

Anthony Laud said:

... Barry wouldnt get in either starting line up so i dont understand him going but i am sure he will. Ands why are poeple talking about him replacing Denilson and Mascerano for example? You are the same people that say we shouldnt drop Petrov. If barry is that holding midfielder (which i believe he has to be for villa as he doenst offer enough as an attacking central mid player) then he should be playing that position for villa, petrov should be dropped and we should play an attacking player in front of Barry.

Comment 47, made on March 17, 2009 at 2.20 am

Jake Gardner said:

... Drop petrov are you insane? he has worked his arse off all season and hardly put a foot wrong!

Comment 48, made on March 17, 2009 at 7.17 am

Chris Harper said:

... AvDan- Thats sounds like a crackin idea to me for the Liverpool game. I would also play the back 4 in their proper positions too. Tonebone- Take it you don't watch many live games? Are you off your rocker?? Petrov has been player of the season!

Comment 49, made on March 17, 2009 at 7.32 am

Stephen Gilligan said:

... Drop Petrov hahahahaha,player of season for me so far.

Comment 50, made on March 17, 2009 at 7.52 am

Roderick Seel said:

... Petrov for me was the only sensible head in a panicking team on Saturday, and has been all season...do you watch the matches?? with regards to Barry, if he wants to, let him go this time and wish him well. I do think however that Pool would be his choice, there are at least some Englishmen there...even if they are scouse!

Comment 51, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.00 am

Nick said:

... If you ask me Cuellar was the best player on Saturday, he helped limit the chances Spurs have and won a lot of headers. I don't remember him doing too much wrong, and the goals were more down to Young being too slow to handle Lennon more than anything else. Bent had a poor game and I think that was down to Cuellar.

Comment 52, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.11 am

Anthony Laud said:

... guys you are missing my point! i know Petrov has been good this season. But a lot on here are saying barry would go to arsenal to replace denilson and liverpool to replace mascherano/alonso. if thats the case you are saying he is a defensive midfielder. in which case thats a huge part of the problem in our team. my point is with the system oneil will play 4-4-2 (whether we like it or not he will keep playing that) there isnt room for petrov and barry - it holds us back! neither are attacking enough, get in the box and score. if we are to aspire to be a top 4 team that is what we desperately need! Chris I am in Austrlia for a year but was a long time season ticket holder before i left - i have seen every game this season on tv here and yes petrov has been good. but in a 4-4-2 based on peoples comments that he would go to liverpool and arsenal to replace the holding midfielders there isnt room in our team for both of them! if oneil played 4-5-1 thats a different matter! but he wont the only reason he ever played it was carew got injured and he had no faith in harewood. it was never his plan i am certain

Comment 53, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.29 am

Altan Kargaci said:

... Off Topic sorry ! Have you lot seen the back page off the sun ! Headline ; ENGLAND LINING UP O'NEILL !!

Comment 54, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.38 am

Anthony Laud said:

... for example if he went to arsenal and got in the side there central midfield would be Barry and Fabregas with fabregas as the attacking player creating chances scoring goals etc and barry holding and pasing it around getting attacks started. where as we have barry still the same player as he would be at Arsenal doing the same stuff and then Petrov playing as a holding midfielder picking up the pieces etc. we need the attacking central midfielder as much as anything to have options of where are attacks are coming from rather than always out wide!

Comment 55, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.40 am

Chris Harper said:

... Tonebone- ok I understand but you said 'drop Petrov'. It would be ridiculous dropping the team's current best player. Its almost as bad as starting Heskey instead of a goalscoring Carew!

Comment 56, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.46 am

Anthony Laud said:

... we dont actually have anyone that can play the attackign central midfield role. Sidwell was meant to be the man i guess but hasnt come good. do you think therefore letting barry go and spending the money on a proper attacking central midfielder makes sense? i believe it does if we are going to play 4-4-2 and you say Petrov cant be dropped. ideally i would like a big squad so that barry and petrov fought for that position and could be rested when needed and played together if we ever played 4-5-1 away from home for example. and sign an attacking midfielder to play in front of one or both of them in either formation. I just dont think if we are to be successful playing 4-4-2 they can play together.

Comment 57, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.54 am

Anthony Laud said:

... as for playing heskey in front of carew! nothing can be as mad as that decision! I fear its going to continue though. i'll be furious if carew is on the bench on sunday

Comment 58, made on March 17, 2009 at 9.55 am

Michaell Lockey said:

... GB to Birmingham just for the crack lol!

Comment 59, made on March 18, 2009 at 7.30 am

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