Should He Stay or Should He Go? Gareth Barry's Big Decision

Rash, impetuous, and repulsive.

Three words that you might have used to describe Roman Abramovich's decision to sack Jose Mourinho back in the turbulent month of September.

And with the recent Gareth Barry sweepstakes reaching an all-time high, you could add Martin O'Neill to the list of important football figures that might be acting in such a way.

Perhaps it's the pressures of achieving European football.  It is something O'Neill hasn't done in the Premier League that has gotten to him as Aston Villa heads into the final weekend against West Ham.

After an uncharacteristic defeat to Wigan last week, one that severely damaged any hopes for direct entry into the UEFA Cup, O'Neill may be hoping for more than a just slip-up from Everton.

His biggest test may have nothing to do with his ability to bark out tactics from the technical area.

With his most influential and important player rumored to be on his way out to Liverpool, O'Neill could be on the losing end of a tight battle with Rafa Benitez in the Gareth Barry sweepstakes.

The constant mind games have become the center of attention this past week after Liverpool leaked what O'Neill referred to as a 'mish-mash deal' for his skipper to the media.  Thus causing the expected frenzy from the English media.

And the results are what you might have expected.

O'Neill has been fending off rumors and reports, one by one, even going as far as calling Rafa Benitez as 'mad'. Aston Villa teammate Patrik Berger was sacked earlier in the week after he told his skipper to pack his bags and leave.

Steven Gerrard has voiced his approval over the potential move and Xabi Alonso is rumored to be on his way out to Juventus if the proposed move goes through.

Yet, in the eye of the storm, the man himself has had little to say. 

It's hard to believe how a player of Gareth Barry's quality has only recently shone to the spotlight in the past seven months or so.

He's recorded over 350 caps for his club.  Yet, it was only recently that he was finally included in the national team—and a key player at that.

He's proven to be as loyal as they come in the English game, completing over 10 years at the Midlands club and the driving force behind Villa's resurgence into European competition.

He's the unquestioned leader, both on and off the pitch.  There's no doubt that the midfielder has a role to play as long as Martin O'Neill is still in charge at Villa Park.

While Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor get credit for their darting runs down the touchline and at goal, it's Gareth Barry that collects the ball and settles the play down for Villa.

And with a squad that is lacking in numbers with only 23 players, Barry adds some much needed stability—both as a player and a leader to the club.

But more importantly, perhaps the greater underlying reason for the sudden interest in the Villa captain is his tremendous quality as a footballer.

Being able to play at either fullback, outside midfielder, holding midfielder, and central midfielder where the options are endless in terms of versatility.

Add to the fact that the Premier League lacks quality midfielders with a strong left foot, and there's no surprise as to why Gareth Barry has garnered so much attention of late.

This is a big reason why Rafa Benitez is so keen to add to his star-studded squad that has aims of reclaiming the UEFA Champions League title and the Premier League—a league that has eluded Liverpool since 1989-1990.

There's no denying that the lure of playing for a club like Liverpool is breathtaking. It's history as one of—if not, as the most successful club in English football, speaks for itself.

Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Peter Beardsley, and Ian Rush are just a few obvious names of Liverpool greats that have reputations as footballers are as world renown as they come.

Their quality, as players in the famous Liverpool red, go far and beyond in the minds of the most knowledgeable football fans.

And now, Gareth Barry has a chance to add his name to a roster of one of the most illustrious football clubs in history. Such an offer can be scintillating—and one that not many players have ever turned down.

But, if Barry is to go though with the move, it will be a challenge that will be completely foreign to him.

Draws and close defeats are no longer allowed and merely winning a match is no longer enough for fans at the Kop—something that might not have been the case at Villa Park.

Of course, a chance to compete in European competition on a yearly basis is always intriguing.  Any slip-ups in performance could land you a spot next to Peter Crouch on the sideline.

That's not mentioning the fact that he faces stiff competition for playing time in the middle of the park. Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso have all proven to be staple players in the midfield. 

It could bring Rafa Benitez even more problems in terms of getting all his key players on the pitch.

Xabi Alonso has hinted at possibly leaving if Gareth Barry arrives at Anfield.  Steven Gerrard has always suggested that he feels more comfortable in more of a central role— as opposed to being deployed down the right flank. 

Javier Mascherano has proven worthy to the Liverpool faithful and is often regarded as one of the top players as a holding midfielder in football. 

Of course, like fellow England new-boy David Bentley, the lure of European football should prove to be a driving reason towards moving to a bigger club.

With the 2010 World Cup Qualifying Rounds getting ready to take off, you can bet that Barry is hoping that he has the opportunity to sink his teeth into a major international competition.  

But in the end, it's a decision that the Villa captain has to make. And as much as Villa or Liverpool fans like to have their say on the matter, it all comes down to what is best for Gareth Barry.

We just know that it won't be rash, impetuous, and repulsive, whichever way he chooses to go.