• Home
• About
• Contributors
• Contact Us
• Advertising

• Premiership
• Championship
• League One
• League Two
• Non League
• FA Cup
• Internationals
• Forum

Subscribe

Barry plays, he scores, he ends hope of move to Liverpool

Gareth Barry looks to have put pay to any chance of his dream move to Liverpool by playing in Aston Villa’s UEFA Cup qualifier against FH Hafnarfjordur. Not only did Barry play, he scored, and after just 3 minutes!

His appearance in the game means if he were to move to Liverpool, or any club for that matter, he would be ineligible in the Champions League until February and unable to play in the UEFA Cup for another team this season.

By playing Barry, Villa look to have signalled their intent to hang on to the player, as playing him has reduced his value to any potential suitor, Liverpool included.

Even after playing the England international tonight, manager Martin O’Neill is still unsure of whether he’ll hold on to his star player:

I wouldn’t be sure until the transfer deadline passes what will materialise.

I had a talk with him beforehand. He was in the right frame of mind and wanted to play and there was nothing that would have stopped him which was very pleasing.

He wanted to play and he knew the consequences so the decision was very much his.

It really does look as though this saga is over.

Is Rafa at odds with owners over Barry?

Just what is the problem with Gareth Barry’s transfer to Liverpool? The player wants to go, Benitez wants him at Liverpool and Villa are resigned to losing him for £18 million.

So why hasn’t the deal gone through?

The reason seems to be the American owners of Liverpool FC, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. According to reports it is they who refuse to meet Villa’s £18 valuation, even though Rafa Benitez believes the player is worth it.

Rick Parry, the Liverpool chairman, confirms that the American owners don’t believe the valuation is fair:

On this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high.

According to some reports from with Anfield, Benitez and the American owners of Liverpool have argued over the transfer, though Parry insists that both Hicks and Gillette are willing to trust and back the manager’s decisions.

This is not about questioning the manager’s judgement or the ability of a particular player.

The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so.

It is obviously the selling club’s prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high.

With just six days of the pre-season left, the summer’s most public transfer looks likely to run on.

Benitez drops hint on new arrival at Anfield

The on-off transfer of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa to Liverpool could still be on, despite the sticking price of the fee that the two clubs fail to agree on. Liverpool still want to sign Barry, Barry still wants to sign for Liverpool and Villa manager Martin O’Neill has admitted he expects Barry to leave.

Benitez said he still expects to sign another player before the Premier League kicks off next week, though refused to name the player.

When speaking about the transfer fee over Gareth Barry, Benitez stated:

The situation is not a question of money.

He is English and can play three different positions, but I am talking about someone who can play on the left.

I am talking about one player, but I won’t say the name.

It was thought that the Spanish international Xabi Alonso would make way for Barry at Anfield, but now it appears that Alonso will be staying.

We have a good player (Alonso) and we have another good player coming in soon.

We can improve the squad, so we will try to do that. We will bring in one more player if we can.

I do not know when but clearly we have problems on the left, Kewell has gone, Aurelio is injured and Leto cannot get a work permit.

The next seven days before the start of the season will be very interesting to see who comes in and who goes out for each Premiership side.

Barry could still join Liverpool

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry looked all the way to be staying with the midlands club after suitors Liverpool failed to sign the player by Villa’s deadline of Wednesday.

However, it might not mean the deal is dead as Liverpool still want to sign Barry, and the player definitely wants to leave Villa Park.

According to reports, Villa manager Martin O’Neill and their chairman Randy Lerner will meet up with Gareth Barry and his agent this week to discuss the player’s situation.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez stated earlier this week that the club would need to sell before they could sign any more players, after the £20 million capture of Robbie Keane from Spurs.

After Liverpool failed to meet Villa’s deadline of Wednesday to sign Barry, Martin O’Neill said he was delighted that the player would be staying at the club:

Now we can all look forward to the season ahead with relief, anticipation and ambition.

The stumbling block has always been Liverpool failing to meet Aston Villa’s valuation for Gareth Barry. If they can agree on a fee, the player looks likely to sign for the Merseyside club.

Brad’s a Villain now

Former Liverpool and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel has completed his move to Aston Villa in the summer’s big goalkeeper merry-go-round. Scott Carson, who was in goal for Villa last season (on loan from Liverpool), has signed for West Brom. Meanwhile Paul Robinson has left Tottenham and signed for Blackburn.

This was to cover for the fact that Blackburn’s Brad Friedel wanted to leave, and has now signed for Villa for a reported £2 million, although the actual price is undisclosed.

Manchester City were also chasing Friedel, as naturally their new manager Mark Hughes knew what a great keeper Brad was last season with Blackburn.

Friedel spoke of his move to Villa:

I’ve really got the feeling this club is going places and that’s the main reason why I’m here.

I know there was a lot going on in the press about Manchester City but from day one it was always Aston Villa.

Friedel has been an excellent goalkeeper in his 8 years at Blackburn, making 287 appearances for the club.

Friedel wanted to move to Villa largely because of Martin O’Neill:

The fans and everyone at the club have been terrific with me.

In saying that I’m really excited to be here at Aston Villa. Being able to work with these players, with Martin O’Neill and with Mr (Randy) Lerner (club owner) is exciting for me.

Martin was the main factor in my moving to Villa. I know a lot has been said about my Cleveland connection and my United States connection with Mr Lerner. I have spoken to him and he’s a fantastic guy.

But it was all down to Martin and the ambition of the club, also Martin’s relationship with his chairman, the tremendous players here and the other players they want to bring in to make the squad bigger, stronger and better.

Aston Villa were ever so professional in the manner that they dealt with everything and I couldn’t be happier. I’m very pleased to be here.

Gareth Barry staying at Villa?

Long-time Liverpool target Gareth Barry could be staying at Aston Villa after all. Firstly, Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso looks to have had a proposed move to Juventus fall through, which would have paved the way (and spared up the cash) for Barry to arrive at Anfield. Secondly, Barry has been ordered to return to training on Wednesday at Aston Villa, according to the club.

Previously the Villa boss, Martin O’Neill, had ordered Barry to stay away and not report back for training at all. Villa play against Odense in the Intertoto Cup this Saturday, but Barry is not expected to feature.

Barry has shown signs of frustration at his dream move to Liverpool being put on hold by Villa’s refusal to accept any of Liverpool’s offers for the player.

Villa want £17 million plus Steve Finnan for Gareth Barry, Liverpool have refused to meet that offer.

Gareth Barry poised for Liverpool switch

The most talked about deal in football at the moment is Aston Villa and England midfielder, Gareth Barry’s, proposed move to Liverpool. Liverpool want him, they’ve offered a cash plus player deal (involving Steve Finnan) but Villa want more.

That’s about the size of it.

Villa have now made it clear to Liverpool what they want for the player, which they have sent to the Reds in a letter. Villa are asking for £17 million plus Steve Finnan, and they want the full amount paid within 12 months.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill stated:

Liverpool have come back to us and we have responded to their proposal with a letter. We’re still waiting to hear back.

It’s really up to Liverpool. I really don’t know how it’s going to work out at the moment. I’m sure there will be some sort of resolution at some stage or another.

Liverpool placed a value of £2 million on Steve Finnan, but Villa believe the Irishman is worth just half that amount because of his age, and that’s he in the final year of his Liverpool contract.

Derby 0 - 6 Aston Villa

Already relegated Derby were on the end of a tonking once again with Villa putting 6 past them with 6 different scorers.

The first of the afternoon same came from a free kick from Ashley Young, Roy Carroll tried to catch the ball but missed, a poor start to a bad afternoon. John Carew drilled in a second from the edge of the area, Derby failing to clear the ball.

The third of the game was the pick, Roy Carroll poor clearance found Stiliyan Petrov, he lobbed Carroll from all of thirty yards.

3-0 at the break but Villa continued in the second half. Garth Barry slotting in from a rebound, the fifth from Gabriel Agbonlahor slotted in from a flick on. The final goal of the match came from sub Marlon Harewood slotting from a Berger through ball.

Derby - pathetic, their fans will be looking forward to next season, Villa go marching on with 10 goals in two games.

Portsmounth 2 - 0 Aston Villa

David James was once again in good form saving form Maloney early on. Jermaine Defoe grabbed his sixth goal in as many games, a long ball from Johnson found Defoe who lobbed Carson who was in no-mans land. James then continued his form saving a Young free kick. The second one was a brilliant own goal, Carson cleared a ball as Defoe ran through on goal, but his clearance smashed against Reo-Coker and back into the empty net, classic.

In the second half Agbonlahor missed a sitter from a Maloney cross. James then saved another Young save, this time low to his left. Late on Muntari received his second yellow card of the match as the home side ended the game with 10 men, then Mellberg received a second yellow card a minute before time.

United one point behind as Bendtner salvages a point for Arsenal

Manchester United were 30 seconds from regaining top spot in the Premiership this afternoon but a late Nicklas Bendtner goal salvaged a point for a lack luster Arsenal against Aston Villa.

Alex Fergerson in his post match interview had a pop at the Gunners quoting their ‘usual 7 minutes of extra time’, but this morning he won’t be too disappointed as he got team selection spot on as his side strolled past an all but relegated Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage.

Ronaldo, Rooney and Anderson were all rested ahead of the mid-week Champions league game against Lyon. Owen Hardgreaves started the scoring grabbing his first Untied goal with a 20 yard free kick, Ji-Sung Park headed in for a second before the break. A John O’Shae cross was deflected in by Simon Davies to make it 3-0 in the second half, Rooney and Ronaldo then were introduced so they could stretch their legs.

Meanwhile across London Aston Villa took the lead in the first half against Arsenal a Gabriel Agbonlahor cross was deflected past his own keeper by Senderos. Villa had chances to double their lead and even hit the bar. The home side looked hung over from the events of last week but rose to the occasion Adebayor nodding down a Cliche cross for Bendtner to fire in.

All this means is that Arsenal are one point clear putting the title race back into the hand of Untied and have no wins in the last 4 games, league and Cup.

Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 Winning Is Everything - XML Sitemap