Aston Villa Roundtable: Should Gareth Barry Have Gone When He had the Chance?

As the first ever Aston Villa roundtable gets under way, I caught up with William Cooper, Yoosof Farah, and Chris Rowlands to discuss an important issue.

After Liverpool relentlessly pursued Gareth Barry during the off-season, the question remains; Should Barry have gone when he had the chance? Especially considering his performances have dropped alarmingly since the move fell through.

Jermaine Koko:

Gareth Barry has been a loyal servant, turning in performance after performance and gradually getting better as the years have passed.

It was just two years ago, when Barry was getting frustrated at the lack of ambition at Villa Park. Then it all started happening. Doug Ellis made way for Randy Lerner and Martin O’Neill was brought in and hailed as the club's saviour.

Aston Villa are one of the teams—along with Everton, Man City, and Tottenham—with genuine ambitions of knocking Liverpool or Arsenal out of that top four and establishing themselves in the Champions League.

Along with Everton, Villa did a good job of pushing Liverpool for a while with the smallest squad in Premier League.

It only took a quick chat with O’Neill for Barry to realise he should stay and take Villa forward.

I’m not saying Villa are better than Liverpool—that would be disrespectful to England’s most successful club—but the things I have outlined are the things that Gareth Barry needed to consider before he made his mind up.

Despite seeing the level of his performances drop alarmingly thus far this season, staying at Villa was the best decision he could have made. Although O'Neill took the captaincy away from him, he still remains the star of the very young side. A young side that have been taking huge strides in the right direction.

He could have gone to Liverpool and risked sitting on the bench—and maybe slip out of the top four that he was moving into.

His England credentials are under no threat plying his trade for Birmingham’s elite, as he is always on show doing what he does best. He won his place in the national team's starting line-up through his performances for Villa, so why should he be forced to move on?

William Cooper:

Liverpool's chase for Villa's former captain certainly unsettled the 27-year-old Barry. O'Neill decided he was to be replaced as club captain, instead giving the arm band to Martin Laursen.

Barry's form has not been as eye-catching so far this season, but his goal tally already looks good; five goals so far this season in all competitions. Last season Barry bagged nine goals, the highest tally of his career.

Barry was, and it appears still is, torn between a huge move to Liverpool and sticking with Villa. As January approaches, the same will he, won't he saga is sure to return. O'Neill appears to be of the position that, no man is bigger than the club, the change of captain was a statement from O'Neill—Villa will continue to progress with or without Barry.

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