Fifth place in Premier League is progress for Aston Villa says Gareth Barry
Apr 24 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
GARETH Barry believes a fifth place finish would still be progress for Villa despite the collapse of their Champions League dream.
Villa’s hopes of clinching a top four place have become increasingly remote following their failure to win in the last eight league games.
With just five matches remaining, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Bolton, Martin O’Neill’s team are eight points adrift of Arsenal and their main focus now is keeping Everton at bay to hang onto fifth spot and move up a position from last season’s sixth.
“Would fifth place be progress?” said Barry, who will delay a decision on his future until the end of the season.
“I think it definitely is. No matter what you say if the club keeps improving then you are going in the right direction.
“If you get fifth from sixth then that is an improvement.
“We will keep battling for fourth while it’s still there but if we do end up fifth then the club has had a good season again.”
Barry believes Villa are on the verge of turning the corner after drawing three and losing five of their past eight league games.
But the claret and blue stalwart is refusing to single out the back four for blame following the concession of 25 goals in 11 games.
