Another Twist In The Saga: Villa Say There Is "No Chance" Of Barry Leaving

There was another twist in the Gareth Barry saga last night, as Aston Villa publicly announced that their captain would be staying at the club next season.

"This evening Aston Villa can announce that Gareth Barry will be staying with the club following the interest from Liverpool over recent months," said the statement posted on the Villa website shortly after 5pm yesterday. "During discussions in the past few days a final deadline to conclude this episode was set that all parties were aware of and agreed to. This deadline has now passed and so Gareth will remain with Villa."

The deadline mentioned, agreed by both clubs, passed at 5pm yesterday. However, this does not necessarily mean it is the end of the saga. Rafa Benitez, desperate to get the 27-year-old, was believed to have spent the past week lobbying Tom Hicks and George Gillet, the club’s chairmen, for the £18m required to buy the midfielder.

The duo were understood to have finally sanctioned the move, but not before the 5pm deadline passed. Yet, with the funds still at his disposal, it is more than likely that Benitez will test Villa’s resolve one more time.

Martin O’Neill, Villa’s manager, was concentrating on the positives last night:

"Naturally we're all absolutely delighted that Gareth will be staying at Villa Park and relieved to find a resolution and closure to the saga," he said. "Now we can all look forward to the coming season with relief, anticipation and ambition.”

Many of today’s papers are suggesting that the player himself, now fully aware that Liverpool have the funds required to buy him, will continue to attempt to force a transfer in private discussions with his manager.

However, considering Barry’s involvement and agreement in setting the initial deadline, such a course of action looks difficult.

“We had a very positive meeting on Monday,” said O’Neill last night. “It was agreed between Gareth, his agent [Alex Black], Mr [Randy] Lerner [the chairman] and myself that a deadline should be communicated to Liverpool to finally resolve the situation. Liverpool were informed and that deadline came and passed.”

While it is unlikely that the saga has completely run its course, O’Neill and Villa will no doubt start planning for the 08/09 season with their captain on board.