Comments on: Gareth Barry: Would a Move to Liverpool be a Massive Mistake for the Aston Villa Captain?

By: 1874AVFC

1874AVFC — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:10:54 +0000

John, you need to take the blinkers off mate!! OK, we may not have had much else to occupy us (cup wise), but with the smallest squad in the league most of our players probably played as many minutes as some of the teams involved in cup runs, etc. As for Tottenham having an overall better season!!!!! I would rather have had Villas than yours anyday - your league finished in October didn’t it? Oh, yes you won the Carling Cup……….. Modric will suddenly change your team and you will win everything, just like Bent did - what was he, £16M? Money well spent there then. Come back at the end of next season when Villa WILL be Top 8, and you will continue to leak goals…

By: John

John — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:45:11 +0000

Villa got 6th place last season by default.

Spurs had a poor season that was over League wise by Christmas(although they still had a better season overall than Villa)and Portsmouth put all their eggs in the FA Cup basket over the last 6 or 7 League games. They also had a better season overall than Villa did.
Add Everton finishing above Villa and going further in the League Cup and of course the added UEFA Cup run, and I fail to see just how Villa are such an emerging force.
They had no Cup run to hinder their league form and yet still finsihed way off the top 4(Spurs were the last side to have no cup runs to hinder their League form and they finished barley a point off 4th)

I honestly cannot see Villa being top 6 next season.
Everton will and Tottenham, with Modric and a full pre-season under Ramos are pretty much assured 5th place in my opinion. Then you have City with Hughes at the helm, loads a money and of course Pompey who look like strengthening.

Next season Villa will do well to finsih top 8, with or without Barry.

By: Juande Ramos

Juande Ramos — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:14:46 +0000

My tottenham team are the only team within reach of the top four, although that is still a few seasons away. I believe my ability to sign key signings will be the deciding factor, along with tottenham having the balls to actually go for a top four spot.

David Bowie said it well when he said

We can be heroes , just for Juande

By: DA.CHERRYPICKERS!!

DA.CHERRYPICKERS!! — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:38:06 +0000

Must be villa’s turn this year!!

By: chico

chico — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Substitute ‘Everton will overtake ‘Pool next year too’.

By: chico

chico — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:53:07 +0000

Without a doubt it will be a serious mistake for Barry if he joins Lverpool. Villa are going to be a class act. I can see them breaking the top four next year at the expense of Liverpool. I really believe Liverpool are flakey. Rafa to get sacked, board about to implode, no money to spend, Barry would be crazy to go . I still thnk he might go, but oh boy will he be sorry about this time next year. I am not a Toffee but I also think Liverpool may overtake ‘Pool next year too.

By: 1874AVFC

1874AVFC — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:14:05 +0000

class, part of the reason is that we are not prepared to pay extortionate wages that Liverpool are readily happy to throw at their players. Look at the stats, the top 4 are all in heavy debt due to the overpriced transfer and wages structures at these clubs, we aren’t because we don’t waste!! I will happily sell GB to Liverpool for £15m and Crouch - we can use that to buy Sidwell, SWP and Shorey, happy days!!

By: class

class — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:22:09 +0000

villa will never be as big as lfc, you villa fans can dream thats all. what have you won with barry? is,t it not time for you lot to have a change. but ask yourself this how many players will pick villa instead of l,pool ? mon knows this noone will pick any team out of the top 4 noone thats top class that is.it made me laugh when you wanted henry. ask yourself this would torres play for villa ..no

By: 1874AVFC

1874AVFC — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:27:52 +0000

John Matthews, at last a sensible observation and decent response. Gareth can only improve by staying at Villa, in my opinion, as he will play every game next season in the position he favours most - go to Liverpool and he could be playing anywhere, keeping the bench warm and basically being rotated as is Rafa’s want. He will be playing European football next season, and I think that and a good season in the league will cement his position in the England set up, in preparation for a really good World Cup qualification. Stay with Villa GB you know it makes sense.
I am not getting in to the whose club is biger, better, etc debate as there will always be disagreements, but I think Villa is the place for GB for the next 3 years at least.

By: woody

woody — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:19:14 +0000

Not sure what season AJ Villan just watched but I am sure Liverpool reduced the gap to 11 points on the Mancs and reached the semi final of the champions league. The previous season it was over 20 points difference. Villa are nobody’s and never will be’s. Let the boy go and at least have a chance of winning something

By: On the fence

On the fence — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:12:41 +0000

Also an impartial fan, yet I struggle to see how Liverpool can be a major step up for Barry.
They have very inconsistent league form and there is obvious disarray at the club with owners clearly not in it in the interests of the club.

Liverpool IMO are currently ahead of an emerging young Villa side but also a long way away from the top 3 in league terms. I do not see Liverpool performing again in Europe. They have done well but got through by the skin of their teeth last year.
I also think come European football time Mascherano would get the nod hence leaving Barry to continue playing premiership games only.

Yes Villa are a long way from Arsenal, Chelsea and Man U but they are not that far from Liverpool. If he were to leave Villa I think he should try and go to the top 3.

By: John Matthews

John Matthews — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:07:41 +0000

Firstly, I’m a Man City fan, who happens to think Gareth Barry is bordering on becoming the best midfielder in the country and I think Benitez can see this, that’s why he wants to replace Alonso with him.

One thing that really frustrates me in all this and I think shows a lot of disrespect towards Aston Villa and other clubs, is everyone saying he needs Champions League football to further his international career, why does he? He’s played every England game this season, he’s been man of the match about 4 times, all while at Villa, which means he’s outplayed Champions League players at Internatinal level, doesn’t it.

Liverpool could get knocked out of the Champions League in the first round, Aston Villa could reach the latter stages of the UEFA cup, where’s his European experience then if he goes to Liverpool?

Moving would be a bad bad idea if you ask me, Villa impressed me last season and look a very good young exciting team.

By: aj-villan

aj-villan — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:36:39 +0000

The Villa fans are deluded? That’s interesting because i’m sure you’ve spent over £50 million in one transfer window and EVEN FURTHER away from the League title than before. Who’s deluded?

By: Holte Ender

Holte Ender — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:22:21 +0000

RedsRule.

Liverpool FC are the attraction, not Rafa. I’m think the bloke is a clown and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

By: RedsRule

RedsRule — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:15:27 +0000

Just accept it Villa fans, once Rafa comes a calling any player would want to come! Perhaps we could throw Ashley Young in too and you can have Crouchy and Carson…fair is fair!