Barry dares to dream of Europe

GARETH BARRY has been around Villa Park long enough to know all about false dawns, but despite the harsh footballing lesson delivered by Arsenal he believes there is enough evidence to suggest that Aston Villa can at least mount a serious challenge for a UEFA Cup place this season.

The England midfielder was left marvelling at the Arsenal display, the best he has seen on his home patch “in a long time,” but the manner in which he and his determined team mates stretched the Premier League leaders in the second half was far more than cold comfort for the 27-year-old.

While fully admitting it was a reality check for Villa supporters and anyone else within the club who has been carried away by the Martin O’Neill revolution, Barry genuinely believes there is real reason for optimism at the club he has served his whole career and every reason to aim as high as trying to break into the Big Four this season.

“We have to try and aim for that. It’s a big aim. If we fall short the top six would be a great season. We are not there yet but in football anything can happen. Right now we have a small squad, but January will be interesting. I am sure the manager has got a few things lined up,” said Barry.

Villa are certainly now starting to benefit from the wisdom of recruiting O’Neill. It has been a slow process, but it was clear to see in the second half, just why Arsene Wenger believes the Ulsterman is the perfect candidate to fill the vacancy created by Steve McLaren’s sacking at Soho Square.

O’Neill has made it clear he is not interested and his commitment to Villa has been music to the ears of the young squad he is moulding together, especially Gabriel Agbonlahor, who could well be moving into the England senior ranks before too long.

“It was a tremendous boost hearing the gaffer say he would turn down England if they asked him. What he has done so far here in the last year or two, you can see how much the fans and players have taken to him.

“It would be very upsetting if he left but hopefully now he has committed his future it will be a big boost for us. The FA are looking for a really good manager to take the job and Martin is one of the best managers in football so you can see why they might be looking at him.”