Berger puts Barry in a pickle

REGARDLESS of whether Aston Villa make it into Europe this season, Patrick Berger will not be around to take part.

The Czech will leave Villa Park at the end of the season and he has advised Gareth Barry to do likewise and move to Liverpool for the chance to experience life on one of the biggest stages world football has to offer.

Rafael Benitez’s open pursuit of Barry, including publicising a £10m offer shortly before this defeat, has angered Villa manager Martin O’Neill, who is ready to offer Barry a new contract in the region of £70,000-a-week to persuade him to remain with the club he has served all his professional career.