Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry was chased by Liverpool three times over the Summer period but manager Rafa Benitez was unable to get the Liverpool board to agree to an £18million transfer fee, and it now looks increasingly unlikely that Barry will be making the move to Anfield any time soon after he stated his intention to remain at Villa for the rest of the season.

Speaking on the official Aston Villa website, manager Martin O’Neill said:

“This news will lift me, the players and hopefully, the player himself. It increases our determination to keep going and shows we are pushing in the right direction,”

“This is what Gareth wants to do. It is very, very pleasing and I am delighted. We will sit down again in the summer, have a chat and see what progress we are making.

“He has given the football club fantastic service and wants to put the trauma of the summer behind him. His game is top-notch at the moment and he is playing very well.

“He wants to leave all the speculation behind him and get on with his game.”

Of course it is possible that if Liverpool came through with a new and stronger deal he would change his mind.

Source: fansfc