Gareth Barry has had a real renaissance this season – at the ripe old age of 26! Aston Villa's stylish midfielder has been called into Steve McClaren's side for the last four games and made a real impact in his central midfield role alongside Steven Gerrard. Such has been Barry's form under Martin O'Neill that Chelsea are said to be monitoring his progress and there have been rumours of a potential £15m bid. However, Barry has spent ten years at Villa Park and, as givemefootball discovered, is in no rush to leave.
Q:YOU HAVE BEEN LINKED WITH A MOVE TO CHELSEA RECENTLY – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?
A:I saw the story but it was the first I had heard of it. Of course I'm happy at Villa. I guess it is just a reflection of how I am doing at club and international level. I certainly won't be worrying about it or thinking about it. I'd like to reassure fans that I'm not looking to leave. These things come up suddenly from time to time and I don't know how true they are.
Q:WERE YOU PLEASED WITH YET ANOTHER AWAY DRAW AT BOLTON?
A:I was pleased to come away with a point. We'd have taken that after our first half performance. They way they played was typical of the way they usually play. But in the second half we got the ball down and played and caused them a few problems.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT NOT TO LOSE AFTER YOUR HOME DEFEAT AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED?
A:With two derbies to come it was important that we didn't go into them with back-to-back defeats. We will go into the Derby County game looking for three points and looking to push on. Our mind is on Derby now and hopefully another home win. Luke Moore and Patrik Berger came on and changed things. Patrik caused them a few problems, as we knew he would.
Q:IT HAS BEEN A GREAT SEASON FOR YOU PERSONALLY AS YOU HAVE BEEN RECALLED INTO THE ENGLAND FRAME – DID YOU THINK THAT WOULD EVER HAPPEN AFTER SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON LEFT YOU OUT IN THE COLD?
A:There were times when I did wonder if I would play for England again. When you are basically overlooked for three or four years, that is bound to cross your mind. But the Villa fans certainly played a part in helping me to keep believing through the low points that one day I would get another chance if there was a change of manager.
Q:THE FANS HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN YOU?
A:It was such a lift to hear them chanting 'Barry for England' every time I was in action on the Villa Park pitch and I thank them so much for their support. They have helped me a lot. I am full of confidence now. In international football, you've got to be mentally strong.
Q:YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE SQUAD THAT REACHED EURO 2000 WITHOUT PLAYING – HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU PERSONALLY TO TRY AND REACH THE FINALS?
A:Euro 2000 seems a long time ago. I was only 19. A lot has happened since then. I gained a tiny bit of experience there from being involved in that squad. It would be great to go to another tournament and actually play some part. There is still a lot of work to be done to try and help the team qualify for Euro 2008. The next step is to stay involved in the games coming up to get us there but then hopefully be selected to go to Austria and Switzerland next summer.
