Gareth Barry backs Aston Villa trio to bounce back

Mar 24 2008 By Bill Howell

GARETH Barry has tipped Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor to bounce back from their England omissions and has also refused to criticise Scott Carson after his nervy performance against Sunderland.

All three failed to make Fabio Capello's final 23-man squad for the friendly against France in Paris on Wednesday, although Carson had to pull out with a knee injury.

Young and Agbonlahor have struggled in Villa's three-game slump and Barry admits there is less of a "surprise" element to their play as defences are aware of their qualities.

He said: "It's too easy just to blame Gabby and Ashley. They have both had fantastic seasons. People will start to get to know how they play, but this is their second season and they have produced the goods again.

"They'll bounce back once the team starts winning Ð that will give everyone confidence, not just those two players."

Carson was at fault for both Portsmouth goals last week and dithered to allow Michael Chopra a simple finish on Saturday. "Maybe it was a case of he thought about coming and stopped again, I'm not sure,'' said Barry.

"Last week may have been in the back of his mind, but we'll take the goal conceded as a responsibility of the whole team, not just Scott."

Barry says slack defending is costing Villa dear as their search for a clean sheet moves to 17 league games.

"They're simple mistakes and ones we should be dealing with,'' he said.

At the other end of the pitch, Marlon Harewood (three times), Agbonlahor and John Carew all had chances. Barry added: "We didn't create too much, although a couple have gone either side of the post. Another day it could have gone differently but with the run we're on - four games without a win - it affects you more."

Barry also stressed Villa are not physically tired.

"I can only speak for myself and if the other lads are tired, they certainly haven't mentioned it.

"That's too much of an easy excuse. We played okay on Saturday but the goals we're conceding are hurting us."