Gareth Barry injury scare for Aston Villa

Jan 16 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

VILLA have been dealt a potential blow to their European aspirations with skipper Gareth Barry facing a spell on the sidelines.

Barry was carried off in obvious pain after a blow to his hip during training yesterday.

After a lengthy delay he was put on the back of a buggy and was treated by Villa's medical staff.

Barry was undergoing a scan today to determine the full extent of the injury.

He will not want to miss Monday's trip to Liverpool as he is ever-present this season, and will also want to be fit for Fabio Cappello's first England match, against Switzerland on February 6.

Barry has played every minute of every game for Villa since January last year when he was absent for the home draw with Chelsea through suspension - one of only three games he has missed under Martin O'Neill.

Meanwhile, Olof Mellberg should return to the team at Anfield after losing his ever-present record against Reading through sickness.

O'Neill said: "He is not back training yet, but he is getting better."

Patrik Berger is also making progress. He has been out of the 16 since the trip to Sunderland in mid-December when he was an un-used substitute.

The Czech playmaker has made just five substitute appearances all season in his final season in England, and is recovering from a hamstring injury.

O'Neill added: "He has trained. I am not saying he has done anything really strong but he is getting there."