Villa set to concede defeat in Barry switch

Liverpool summer target Gareth Barry has been told that he can seek a move away from Villa, should he want to.

Recent reports have suggested that Gareth Barry is on Rafa’s summer wishlist but Benitez may have to fight for the 27-year-old’s signature, with the Scum and Chavs also reportedly interested.

However, Barry’s preferred destination would be Merseyside and the club of his good friend Steven Gerrard.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner’s right-hand-man General Krulak said: “Obviously, we are keen to keep our captain - and we will do all in our power to keep him. But at the same time, he plays a huge part in this equation.

“At the end of the day, he needs to want to stay. The very worst thing we could do would be to try and hold onto a player who wants to leave.

“I hope that we can show him that his future is, in fact, at Aston Villa. We will work hard to do just that.” he added.