Barry – The Villa Omen!

Gareth Barry is looking at omens and hopes facing Wrexham in the Carling Cup tomorrow night is one of them!

He told the official site:

‘I’m hoping it’s an omen. People have told me we beat Wrexham in round four in 1977 and hopefully history will repeat itself this season. Games likes these are banana skins. We’ve got nothing to gain except a place in the next round. The pressure is on us so we’ve got to be professional and win the game.’

Barry is also looking to add some silverware to his career saying “I don’t suppose winning the Intertoto Cup with Villa counts, so the last time I won a proper cup was when I was at school. We won the schools FA Cup at Molineux on penalties. It was something I’ll always look back on fondly and remember as a great memory, but I would like to now add to my trophies with Villa. It would be nice to pick up a trophy along the way.

“It’s a while since we had a really good run. We came close one year in the League Cup when we just lost over two legs to Bolton. But we are due a good cup run and hopefully it will be this season. If ever I get the chance to lead Villa out at a Wembley final, and get my hands on a major trophy, then it will be a dream come true for me.”

At the request of Wrexham Poilce, the game is ‘all-ticket’ and there will be no tickets available after 12 noon tomorrow for home or away fans. The avfc.com say ‘Villa’s Ticket Office will continue to take bookings up until that time for collection EITHER here at Villa Park or from the Racecourse Ground on the evening of the game. Tickets for collection at Wrexham will not arrive until approximately 7pm. Please do not travel to the game unless you have purchased a ticket in advance.’

Be interesting to see how Martin O’Neill juggles the small pack of players we have. Maybe Shaun Maloney will get his wish and make a start for Villa? Hopefully Luke Moore will be in the starting eleven as well. Who will be between the posts, should he rest Carrson ready for the Chelsea game? Who knows!