Gareth Barry: Aston Villa can go far in this year's FA Cup

Jan 3 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Gareth Barry and Richard Garcia.

GARETH Barry admits he was envious of Portsmouth’s FA Cup triumph last season and has backed Martin O’Neill to treat the competition with respect.

The midfielder, a losing finalist with Villa in 2000, insists Pompey’s surprise success has given fresh hope to clubs outside the Premier League’s Big Four.

And after running into Manchester United in four of the last seven years, Barry believes tomorrow’s trip to Gillingham gives Villa a strong chance of progressing.

“Speaking for myself I want to get out and play there because I want to go to try to win the FA Cup,” said Barry, who was part of John Gregory’s Villa squad for the 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea seven years ago.

“It’s a massive competition. Seeing Portsmouth win it, a team outside of the ‘big four’ as they call them, I’m envious of that.

“If you ask all the players they’ll want to play and try to progress.”

O’Neill has made the Premier League his priority so far this season, an approach seemingly vindicated by Villa’s march into the top four.

The Villa boss has rested key first-teamers by fielding a weakened line-up of reserve players in UEFA Cup and Carling Cup games. Barry believes Villa in either guise are strong enough to overcome their League Two hosts in the third round tie at the Priestfield Stadium.

“I think the manager’s going to show the FA Cup the respect it deserves, although we’ve got a lot of games coming up,” said Barry.