Barry ensures O’Neill’s first home win as Villa manager

NEW skipper Gareth Barry ensured Martin O’Neill celebrated his first home match as Aston Villa manager with a victory as he headed a second half winner against 10-man Reading.

O’Neill’s presence ensured a bumper crowd only for the Royals to threaten to spoil the party by taking an early lead through Irish international Kevin Doyle.

Villa manager O’Neill reiterated his desire to keep Barry. Barry intimated during the summer that he may wish to leave Villa after eight years but O’Neill is desperate to hold on to the former England Under-21 skipper.