Villa expecting Barry stay

O'Neill has no plans to grant midfielder exit

By James Pearson   Last updated: 11th May 2008

Martin ONeill Aston Villa manager

O'Neill: Barry under contract

Gareth has two years of his contact left to run.

O'Neill on Barry
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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill sees no reason why Gareth Barry should leave the club this summer as he is still under contract at Villa Park.

It had been suggested his goal in Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Ham at Upton Park could have been one of his last acts for the club.

Liverpool have already made one bid for the England international and are expected to follow up their initial offer during the close season.

However, as Barry has two years left on his contract, O'Neill has no plans to strike a deal with The Reds as he wants to keep the midfielder.

"Gareth has two years of his contact left to run," he told Sky Sports.

"It was pretty interesting that apparently there was an offer in for Steven Gerrard, I believe from some Italian team.

"The first thing Liverpool came out with was that Gerrard has a number of years left to run on his contract, so there you go.

"We might just come out with the same sort of message. We will do our utmost to do so and that's what the fans would like."

Brilliant effort

Villa's 2-2 draw coupled with Everton's win over Newcastle means O'Neill's side have to qualify for next season's Uefa Cup via the Intertoto Cup.

"It's a really brilliant effort, most other seasons that would have been good enough to qualify for the Uefa Cup normally," he continued

"We've actually put ourselves into the Intertoto Cup. While it doesn't have the same heavy format it used to possess. It puts us into competitive mood, very, very early on in the season.

"One might prefer a leisurely approach to the pre-season, but that aside that would be the only drawback."