Gareth Barry: Why Aston Villa Should Sell Their Captain

Gareth Barry has been the most consistent and influential Villa player for the past few seasons, so why sell him?

I'll tell you why. Yes it is true that he has established himself on the England team and has England's top teams expressing an interest, but he is easily replaced.

Gareth Barry does not score that many goals, and when he does they are often penalties or from set pieces. I am a big admirer of Gareth Barry, and he should be sold whilst he has a high profile and a good negotiation could be obtained.

Liverpool are the favourites to sign him, and Aston Villa have had Liverpool's young English goalkeeper Scott Carson on loan, who himself has gained England International Caps last season.

If a trade can be made for these players it would not be a poor transfer. I would be delighted if as part of the deal Villa could re-sign Peter Crouch and Villa would pull off a real transfer coup.

There has been further speculation with Norwegian left defender/midfielder John Arne Riise being part of that deal. If it is a straight swap for Riise and Barry plus some money, I do not believe that this would be a good value, as Villa would still need to find a Goalkeeper and then Barry's replacement.

There are many potential Gareth Barry replacements who could adequately do the same job that Barry has been doing for Villa for some time. The likes of Steven Sidwell of Chelsea, who did not feature much for the blues, is just one of many.

Villa's ambition has linked them to highly-rated Dutch international Rafael Van Der Vaart of Hamburg, and Italian international Riccardo Montolivio of Fiorentina.

One thing is for sure: Villa, who has the smallest squad in the EPL, have to recruit numbers.

The shortage of goalkeepers at the present time is evident with Carson having returned to Liverpool and Thomas Sorensen out of contract. If Carson is not signed by Villa, there needs to be at least two new goalkeepers brought to Villa Park.

Ongoing enquiries are being made with respect to American International Brad Guzan, who plays for Chivas America in the MLS, in respect to him obtaining a work permit. It is possible that Ben Foster could be signed on loan from Manchester United also.

If Villa did obtain Peter Crouch from Liverpool, it would create speculation as to John Carew's future as he would certainly be the player he replaced.

Forwards are not the area in which Villa particularly need to streghthen, but the defence is something crucial. Villa have been linked to Leicester youngsters Joe Mattock and Richard Stearman, who are highly regarded and would relish the opportunity of leaving relegated Leicester to join an EPL team.

Villa do not have a right back now that Olof Mellberg has joined Juventus and need to purchase one critically. Irish international Steve Carr has been released by Newcastle and I would be happy if Villa signed him for his experience. They would do better to sign a younger player for the future.

One thing is certain: it would not be a bad move to swap Barry for Carson or Crouch, and any other deal would be disappointing but not necessarily wrong.

Good luck to Gareth Barry if he decides to leave; he will always be a Villa legend.