Allan Evans: Gareth Barry was right to leave Aston Villa

Jun 16 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

“But I can see why he would want to go after being at one club for so long.

“A change of environment can sometimes give you that little spark, be that ‘pick up’ and get you going again.

“That, for me, is the reason he left.”

Barry admitted to fears he might become stale if he stayed at Villa. Evans continued: “I totally understand him saying he felt he could go stale.

“Because of all the fuss over the Liverpool thing the previous season, I think people turned against him because they felt he always wanted to leave and that he would always leave.

“But you can’t knock someone who has been at a club for 12 years. It’s wrong to do that.

“He wanted a change of environment. I understand that and I just wish him all the best.”

Villa are now faced with a mountainous task of replacing Martin Laursen and Barry.

Evans added: “Those two are a massive loss to the club.

“Laursen was the kingpin of the defence. I admired him a lot as a player.

“He reminded me a lot of myself, in many respects.

“He was tidy on the ball and he was quick as well.

“I liked him as a player and it was a real shame that he didn’t get to play more games last season.

“If he had played more then Villa just might have made that fourth place and the Champions League that they were after.”

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