Former Wales international Mark Delaney claims Gareth Barry would be “crazy” not to move to Liverpool.
Delaney, who made 158 appearances for Villa between 1999 and 2007, believes the Champions League represents a career path too good to refuse.
“He has been Villa’s best player for the last four or five years and I am surprised it has taken this long for a big club to come along,” said the 32-year-old, who was capped 36 times for Wales.
“When that knock on the door arrived it was Liverpool and they are an unbelievable club.
“Gareth will be 28 in February. These are his ‘twilight’ years. If he goes he will win trophies and if he doesn’t go it will be crazy for his career.
“He has to give it a go. If he can’t go the opportunity may never arise again. Liverpool might not ask again.
“He has to grasp this with both hands. This choice is Champions League and England with Liverpool or the InterToto with Villa.”
Villa manager Martin O’Neill is demanding £18m to allow Barry to join the Reds, but
Delaney says O’Neill would have swapped Nottingham Forest for Liverpool in his playing days had the call come.
“Martin O’Neill knows Liverpool are a bigger club than Villa,” he said. “It hurts me to say that as a Villa supporter through-and-through. The club mean a hell of a lot to me.
“If he (O’Neill) didn’t say he would have done the same as a player he would be lying. Anyone would.
“Randy Lerner could probably match what Liverpool offer Gareth in terms of wages but this is not about money.
“And the reason Martin has probably reacted like he has is that he knows Gareth will be hard to replace.
“It is unfortunate for Villa but these things happen.”
Delaney, now a part-time coach with Villa’s Academy, admits he is a huge fan of O’Neill and the revolution that is taking place at Villa Park under Randy Lerner.
But he says Villa cannot yet hope to break into the top four.
“Gareth has been as loyal as any Villa player. The thing is, I cannot see them breaking the top four in his time,’’ he added.
“They exceeded all expectations last season. But can they do it again? I don’t know.
“If Gareth has a bad season in terms of form, or he gets injured, then there is no way Villa will get £18m.
“He loves Villa, as I do, but for his career this is the right move.”
Delaney, who made 158 appearances for Villa between 1999 and 2007, believes the Champions League represents a career path too good to refuse.
“He has been Villa’s best player for the last four or five years and I am surprised it has taken this long for a big club to come along,” said the 32-year-old, who was capped 36 times for Wales.
“When that knock on the door arrived it was Liverpool and they are an unbelievable club.
“Gareth will be 28 in February. These are his ‘twilight’ years. If he goes he will win trophies and if he doesn’t go it will be crazy for his career.
“He has to give it a go. If he can’t go the opportunity may never arise again. Liverpool might not ask again.
“He has to grasp this with both hands. This choice is Champions League and England with Liverpool or the InterToto with Villa.”
Villa manager Martin O’Neill is demanding £18m to allow Barry to join the Reds, but
Delaney says O’Neill would have swapped Nottingham Forest for Liverpool in his playing days had the call come.
“Martin O’Neill knows Liverpool are a bigger club than Villa,” he said. “It hurts me to say that as a Villa supporter through-and-through. The club mean a hell of a lot to me.
“If he (O’Neill) didn’t say he would have done the same as a player he would be lying. Anyone would.
“Randy Lerner could probably match what Liverpool offer Gareth in terms of wages but this is not about money.
“And the reason Martin has probably reacted like he has is that he knows Gareth will be hard to replace.
“It is unfortunate for Villa but these things happen.”
Delaney, now a part-time coach with Villa’s Academy, admits he is a huge fan of O’Neill and the revolution that is taking place at Villa Park under Randy Lerner.
But he says Villa cannot yet hope to break into the top four.
“Gareth has been as loyal as any Villa player. The thing is, I cannot see them breaking the top four in his time,’’ he added.
“They exceeded all expectations last season. But can they do it again? I don’t know.
“If Gareth has a bad season in terms of form, or he gets injured, then there is no way Villa will get £18m.
“He loves Villa, as I do, but for his career this is the right move.”
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