Am I the only one who is completely fed up with the Barry saga? I'm sure that I'm not! After discussing the situation this afternoon with my Liverpool mate, I wonder how much longer we can remain friends (only joking..). He, of course feels that Benitez has acted with integrity and MON is being economical with the truth. I, on the other hand, think that Benitez has never acted honourably and suffers from 'big club' syndrome - there is a player I want, I'll tell everyone that I want him and then, of course, he'll want to leave his club because everyone wants to play for a big club in the Champions League!

Barry has fallen for the flattery big time - I found that quite disappointing - and wants away now whatever the cost. MON is being villified in some quarters for standing his ground and sticking to the fee we have asked. I am amazed by the number of articles I have read that paint his behaviour as akin to a spoilt boy, stamping his feet because Liverpool won't capitulate; some acknowledge that he should be praised for not allowing Villa to be walked all over by the likes of Liverpool.

The most recent story about the 5pm deadline is also manipulated to read in different ways.."Midlanders changing the goalpost at the last minute" when apparently we disputed the payment schedule that LFC submitted after the deadline. Just what is the truth in all this? I really would like to know!

I guess, in the end, he will go - somewhere. I really believe that if he ends up at Liverpool he will not get a regular slot and will ultimately regret his decision. If Barry really is not in it for the money, why hasn't he put in a transfer request? Would that not have made the move smoother?

I don't understand how the Keane move went through so quickly - where did the money for that come from?

What I do know is that I want this resolved once and for all and I want to read about players who want to come and play for us - not the ones who want to go. The PR is damaging us and I have a theory that LFC are doing this deliberately because they want to muck up our summer transfer business. I reckon of all the clubs hot on the heels of that 4th spot (the LFC spot), Liverpool fear us the most in the longer term and all this mess with the Barry transfer - or not- is wrecking our ability to focus on who we want to attract to the club. It can't be helping prospective players' view of AVFC, especially the foreign ones. It's damaging. So although MON is right to stick to his guns, it's not doing our chances of bringing new blood to Villa any good at all. Surely Barry must see that it is damaging the club?

So, here's to a quick resolution to this ridiculous saga!

If LFC were really willing to sell Steve Finnan to us as part of the deal yesterday, why did they let him play in the match last night against Villareal?

Over and out!

Discuss

Hopefully we will fair better in the Intertoto than we have in the recent past. I remember watching a game at Villa Park against a Croation side and we were woeful. I don't care to watch a repeat of that! Are we ready to compete in Europe? Do we need Gareth Barry? If he leaves will other good players be put off from joining Villa? All questions that will be answered over the coming weeks. I notice that Benitez is after Milner and offering Riise in return. What's with all these swopsies and Liverpool anyway? As I type, MoN is saying that finishing 6th won't put off players from joining and the Intertoto, being less games now, fits in better with pre-season training. I feel instantly reassured! :)

As the boss says, in any other season 6th would gain automatic entry to UEFA so overall we have done incredibly well with the tiny squad (relatively) we have. So many players have played week in, week out, and have played so well too. Laursen has been immense this season, Bouma's been more consistent, even Petrov has found a recent groove. Young is a revelation, Gabby is awesome, Barry has truly filled the captain's boots and epitomises Villa's resurgence under O'Neill and Lerner.

It would be a mega shame if Barry decided that he needed to move to a 'big' club to sit as a squad player on their bench and play one in three games. Wouldn't it be better to be a legend at a club like Villa, forever held in the hearts of thousands of Villa fans as a great player, than to be part of a machine that revolves around winning football games and titles by throwing money at the game, by buying all the best players up - whether or not you would ever really play them or care if they played? Keegan was right - we can't compete unless we are prepared to do the same, to trade players like commodities, locking them away from other clubs whilst occasionally taking them out and dusting them down when the stars are injured.

So Gareth, do you want to be an individual legend in a team that cares about you or a shiny top-four football clone?

Up the Villa! Well done the team. We are proud! ...and good luck to Cardiff next weekend (hubbie's team!)