Sunderland 1-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa came into this game knowing that a win was important in order to remain ahead of Arsenal in 4th place. Sunderland also needed the points, as they were only 3 points above the drop zone.

The home side were the first to score, Colin Edwards’ free-kick headed in by Danny Collins on 10 minutes. However, Villa have been in good form recently, and in the second half, they came out with a rel sense of purpose. Ashley Young produced a burst of pace to find space down the right, and crossed for James Milner to bundle the ball home from close range to level the scores.

Young’s day would end up disappointingly though, as he was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Dean Whitehead after 70 minutes. Villa would not give up, however and when Gabriel Agbonlahor was struck by a high foot from Paul Mcshane, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, in the 79th minute.

Villa captain Gareth Barry stepped up, and duly scored to give his side another three points, and condemn Sunderland to another defeat, as they slipped dangerously towards the bottom.

Gareth Barry’s transfer collapses

Gareth Barry’s long awaited transfer to Premiership rivals Liverpool from Aston Villa is on the verge of falling through as the club’s American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have failed in their efforts to raise funds to facilitate the player’s arrival.

The 27 years old midfielder has been Liverpool’s primary transfer target for much of the summer and even though he has remained at home for his club’s pre-season tour, the club has issued him his customary shirt number for the upcoming season. Barry dreams of playing Champions League football and doesn’t see himself playing in the Champions League with Aston Villa and contrastingly feels that with Liverpool his dream will be realized.

But with Liverpool’s financial constraints its becoming increasing unlikely that he will be playing for Liverpool, let alone play in the Champions League. Arsenal were also said to be interested in the midfielder and could make a last minute move for the player in an effort to strengthen their midfield.

Gunners bid for Barry

As talks between Aston Villa and Liverpool reach a dead end, Arsenal are reportedly making a last minute bid for Villa captain Gareth Barry who has stated his intentions to leave the club in pursuit of Champions League football.

With Liverpool targeting the midfielder for the past two months and Rafael Benitez has not yet to met Villa’s demands of ₤18million for the hardworking midfielder, Arsenal are ready to sweep the player out of their hands.

Aston Villa’s replacement for Gareth Barry

Aston Villa’s new signing Steve Sidwell has been tipped as the replacement for outgoing Villa Captain Gareth Barry who has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Arsenal.

The midfielder has stated I think the first contact was made before the whole Gareth Barry thing came about, so I don’t think it’s right to say I’m his replacement. But with his experience, position and physical attributes, the 25 year old Sidwell is seen as the ideal replacement for Barry.

The £5.5m acquisition of Sidwell from Chelsea by Villa boss Martin Oneill seems destined to pay dividends as the vacancy of captain is up for grabs and could well be taken by Sidwell.

O’Neill responds angrily to Barry’s claims

The decision by England’s Gareth Barry to leave Aston Villa for Liverpool has been the subject of many news reports in the past weeks, most notably his recent fine and ban from the club’s training grounds. Barry who is also the captain for the club insist that the club has made no attempt to persuade him to stay at the club after eleven years.

Manager at Aston Villa, Martin Oneill has responded to Barry’s allegations by say that “We’re really disappointed that he’s not going to be with us, he’s made up his mind to go to Liverpool.” Barry is said to be leaving the club for Liverpool to have an opportunity of playing in the Champions League.

Aston Villa who have made a £17 million asking price for the player have refused three bids for the player by Liverpool who fell short of their asking price. In his response to the hold on the transfer, Oneill stated that…. “But Gareth has made his position clear and after that it’s straightforward. We’ve put a valuation on him and Liverpool value him differently at the moment. That’s what the stalemate is, it’s nothing else.”

Liverpool’s manager Rafael Benitez is expected to return to the club with a improved bid for the player to expedite the player’s exit.

“I want to leave Villa” Gareth Barry

Said to be the involved in a lucrative deal that would see him making a move to Anfield, Aston Villa’s captain Gareth Barry has stated that he has made up his mind to leave Villa Park.

The 27 year old midfield English international has stated that he is fed up and he wants to play in the Champions League, of which Aston Villa is not a participant. Barry is also angered by the fact that Villa’s manager Martin Oneil has not given him any reason to stay at Villa even though they have asked him to stay.

Barry also stated that the clubs lack of effort to give him a reason to stay at Villa Park has helped him make up his mind to seal the deal with Liverpool.