Aston Villa have been linked with their former player Gareth Barry. Barry started his career at the Villa Park and was with them for more than a decade. The English midfielder currently plays for West Brom who are expected to go down this season. As a result, the Baggies might end up selling some of their key players to balance the books as they won’t be getting the financial benefits of playing in the English top flight.
Barry has the most number of appearances in the history of the Premier League and at 37 he still looks good enough to play in the top division. His boyhood club will have one more chance of bringing him in if they get promoted to the English top flight.
Steve Bruce’s side are currently fourth and will miss out on direct qualification with Fulham and Cardiff City above them. However, they are guaranteed a place in the playoffs. If they manage to get promoted, an experienced player like Barry will certainly enhance their squad.
According to reports, he has a clause in his contract which will let him quit the Hawthorns if they go down to the Championship.
Barry had a great stint at the Villa Park when he was with them form 1997-2009. A move like this will certainly delight the fans as they will get a chance to see their hero don the Villa jersey once again. Even after moving away from Villa Park, he was influential in wherever he went as he won the player of the year in 2016 at Everton.
The left-footed midfielder has been a regular starter for the Baggies this season but he hasn’t been able to stop the slide which his team has gone through this season. The veteran midfielder was also involved in an off-field incident where he was part of the group which allegedly stole a taxi in Spain.
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According to reports, Villa will also be looking to give him a coaching role after his playing stint. If they manage to get in the top division they will need all the experience and squad depth to continue playing at that level and Barry will certainly be a great addition as he has immense experience. Even if he doesn’t play all the games, he can still have an effect off the field on youngsters.
