Soccer: James dismisses Barca link

Goalkeeper David James has pledged his future to Aston Villa after being linked with Barcelona.

James, who is taking Spanish lessons, is one of a number of targets for Barcelona coach Lorrenc Serra Ferrer along with Real Oviedo’s Esteban and Juventus’ Edwin van der Saar.

The former Liverpool player intimated in a Sunday newspaper recently that he would consider moving abroad to try to rid himself of his ‘Calamity James’ tag.

But James, who recently signed a new three-and-a-half year contract which put him on a par with Villa’s best-paid players, is content to remain with John Gregory’s side.

He said: "I am happy at Aston Villa. I have just signed a long contract and can see the club going places.

"The fact I am learning another language is completely coincidental it always raises a smile with my mate Steve McManaman when I give him a call in Madrid!"

Ferrer is looking for an inexperienced keeper to help develop 18-year-old Jose Manuel Reina.

James is learning Spanish to help Villa’s £9.5m record signing Juan Pablo Angel settle in following his arrival from River Plate.

James said: "We are in the 21st century and if you can’t learn another language by now then something must be seriously wrong.

"I improved on the recent England trip because I managed to have a lot of 'half' conversations with Macca McManaman.

"Everybody laughs at me a bit in the dressing room because they don’t understand a word of it but I believe we should all learn Spanish to help Juan settle in. If it helps him out, then great."