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.