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Villa postpone contract talks with Barry

29/05/2008

Aston Villa have called off talks with Gareth Barry over the player's future until after the England squad have returned from the friendly in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 23-man party has flown out to the Caribbean today ahead of Sunday's match in Port of Spain to begin its preparations, with Barry expected to figure in manager Fabio Capello's plans for the starting XI.

And as a result, Villa have said they will cut off discussions with Barry and his representatives in order to allow him to fully focus on his role with the national team.

Barry's future has been the subject of speculation since it was revealed by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez that the midfielder would be top of his wish-list this summer.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has spoken of his desire to keep arguably his most high-profile player, and talks between the player, O'Neill and club owner Randy Lerner quickly followed.

No resolution has yet been reached between the parties over whether Barry will be staying at Villa Park next season or moving to Anfield.

But the 27-year-old has repeatedly stated he intends to hear out the proposals and plans of his current management before making a decision on his future.

"Will I be at Villa next season? That is something I've been speaking to the manager and chairman about. We've already had one meeting," Barry told the club's official website.

"My idea was to get these two games out of the way and I am sure we will be speaking again soon.

"I always had these two games in my mind and wanted to get them out of the way. So I've not got a date in the diary for another meeting over my future yet.

"Until these games are done I'm not letting anything else occupy my mind."

Barry admitted Liverpool's interest was "flattering", but he denied any bid has yet been tabled for his services.

"I am still an Aston Villa player, I've got two years left of my contract and until some sort of bid is accepted, or the manager tells me otherwise, there is no decision to make," he added.

Elsewhere, former midfielder Patrick Berger has signed a two-year deal with Sparta Prague.

The ex-Czech Republic international was informed by O'Neill that he was free to leave the club this summer as he was not in the club's first-team plans.

Berger also angered the manager after apparently telling Barry he should leave Villa to join Liverpool - one of the 34-year-old's former clubs.