While the Daily Mail shriek that ‘Barry’s bound for Arsenal’, the England international looks like he will only be heading there when Aston Villa play the Gunners in the league. Indeed, while thousands of column inches have been devoted to a potential transfer of Gareth Barry this summer, it all looks like being fish and chip paper, with the Midlands club getting ever closer to retaining their best player.

What an ordeal it’s been for Martin O’Neill who has stuck to his guns over the proposed move, even falling out with Barry at one stage and making him play in the reserves. He has shown that player power only has a limited impact, with Sky Sports reporting that no supposed Arsenal bid has been forthcoming.

“No, I haven’t, not a thing,” O’Neill told Sky Sports News when asked if he had received contact from Arsenal.

“He (Barry) is a great player and he has played exceptionally well for us in the last two games and that is the most important thing for Aston Villa.

“We are delighted with his commitment and we would be delighted if he stayed. That has been our stance all the way through.”

Many players who have handed in a transfer request are often made to play in the reserves or sulk on the bench but Barry did have an excellent game against Manchester City, including setting up two of his team’s four goals. Surely it’s massive odds-on that the midfielder is now staying put at Villa Park?

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