Gareth Barry Interview: It was no fun in the circus

Dec 4 2008 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

some reason the speculation just continued and continued,’ Barry recalls.

At least the story may now finally begin to dissolve with both O’Neill and Barry having made it clear he is at Villa to stay – for the next five months at least.

“I notice the manager being quizzed every other week about myself and every now and then I was getting asked, so I felt it was right for the good of the club that that was the case and it was 100 per cent the case rather than just speculation,’’ Barry said.

“I’m trying to do my best for Aston Villa this season because we’ve got a good chance to achieve something.”

Barry knows that the whole media operation will spark up again towards the end of the season however, with him having just one more season on his contract.

“Speculation will continue because I’ll only have one year left in the summer.

‘‘I realise that and I’m sure the manager does as well.

“It’s something that we’ve spoken about, that it will happen, but this is an important period now and we don’t need distractions.

“The questions might start again in April but it is not until May that you, the press and supporters, are going to get answers.”

Barry says there should be nothing sinister seen in his decision to call a halt to contract talks until the end of the season.

He insists such a policy should not be viewed as anything too removed from the norm.

“Three years ago when I had just signed a new contract at Aston Villa I would have always taken one season at a time anyway and sat down with my agent and taken a look at where I was and where the club was,’’ he said.

“This season is no different for me and I’m sure if you talk to other players as well they always take one season at a time. My situation will be no different to any others but probably a bit more in the press.”

In the meantime, Barry is highly unlikely to face Zilina tonight with Martin O’Neill set to rest a good number of his first-teamers.

Even so, the former skipper sees the importance of winning the game.

“Am I playing? It’s something the manager will never tell any player but it’s a game you would rather play than just sit on the bench,’’ Barry said.

“As a player you always want to play, it would be wrong to say otherwise, but you can always understand the manager’s reasons if he decides to leave you out.

“The aim now after a good start is to win the group. Three points tonight would nearly guarantee us topping the group.

‘‘Three points is the aim so whoever plays it is a good chance to achieve that.”