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O'Neill plans to hold Barry talks
Gareth Barry has spent 10 years on the Aston Villa playing staff
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and Gareth Barry will hold talks over the England international's future early next week.
The England midfielder is a transfer target for Liverpool who made a bid for the 27-year old last week.
"I've spoken to Gareth and we will have further discussions when the season is over," said O'Neill, whose side are chasing a Uefa Cup spot.
"With such an important game on Sunday we will speak again next week."
Villa play West Ham on Sunday and still hope to snatch fifth place from Everton.
O'Neill also revealed Villa owner Randy Lerner is keen for Barry to see out the two years left of his current contract.
"Randy has exactly the same opinion about Gareth as myself." O'Neill.
"I spoke to him the other day and he wants to make all attempts to keep Gareth at the club.
"He wants to try and improve the team rather than dismantle it. I don't think he is surprised that big teams are after the best players.
606: DEBATE
If Barry leaves, must we assume that his decision is based on the fact he doesn't think O'Neill's transfer targets are good enough?
POB
"But his view is he wants Villa to become a big team. That is why he took the club over in the first place, to help restore the club to where it was. "Losing Gareth Barry is not really part of the plan and Randy really wants to keep him. "There is no surprise in clubs being interested - but us wanting to do business is a different issue."
Gareth Barry has spent 10 years on the Aston Villa playing staffAston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and Gareth Barry will hold talks over the England international's future early next week.
The England midfielder is a transfer target for Liverpool who made a bid for the 27-year old last week.
"I've spoken to Gareth and we will have further discussions when the season is over," said O'Neill, whose side are chasing a Uefa Cup spot.
"With such an important game on Sunday we will speak again next week."
Villa play West Ham on Sunday and still hope to snatch fifth place from Everton.
O'Neill also revealed Villa owner Randy Lerner is keen for Barry to see out the two years left of his current contract.
"Randy has exactly the same opinion about Gareth as myself." O'Neill.
"I spoke to him the other day and he wants to make all attempts to keep Gareth at the club.
"He wants to try and improve the team rather than dismantle it. I don't think he is surprised that big teams are after the best players.
606: DEBATE If Barry leaves, must we assume that his decision is based on the fact he doesn't think O'Neill's transfer targets are good enough?
POB
"But his view is he wants Villa to become a big team. That is why he took the club over in the first place, to help restore the club to where it was. "Losing Gareth Barry is not really part of the plan and Randy really wants to keep him. "There is no surprise in clubs being interested - but us wanting to do business is a different issue."