Defensive midfielder Gareth Barry is best known for his appearances for the Aston Villa club. After all, he played for this team from 1997 until 2009. And he defended the honor of the national team for 12 years. And even went out on the field with a captain’s armband on his hand. He has an interesting career, so it's worth talking about her.
“Aston Villa” and attempts to leave for “Liverpool”
Gareth Barry was born in 1981, February 23. From the age of 14 he has been playing football. He started at a club called Brighton & Hove Albion. In its composition, he was listed from 1995 to 1997. After that, he moved to Aston Villa, and as a junior. He played the first match in 1998, on the second of May. Gareth Barry has established himself as a universal player. He could be both central and left back.
On October 28, 2007, he chalked up his first record. Then he became the youngest player to play in the 300 matches of the English Premier League. He was 26 years old at that time.
In 2008, “Liverpool” made the player several proposals for the transition to its composition. And they all turned out to be rejected by Aston Villa. This was very angry Gareth Barry. The footballer then publicly criticized Martin O'Neill, who was his manager. He accused him of deliberate retention in the club. After all, Gareth, in fact, wanted to play in “Liverpool” to enter the field in the Champions League. “Liverpool” made another proposal, indicating its price of 15 million pounds per player. But the leadership of “Aston Villa” wanted 18 million. As a result, Gareth was removed from the rank of captain of the club, left him without a salary for 2 weeks and deprived of the right to train for some time with the team.
Career after Aston Villa
In 2009, Gareth Barry was bought by the Manchester City club. And the team did not pay 18 million, which was required by “Villa” from “Liverpool”, but only 12. The contract was concluded for 5 years. Fans of “Aston Villa” were very unhappy with the decision of Gareth to play for this team. But he really defended the colors of this club over the next four years. He played 132 matches and even scored 6 goals. With this team, he became the champion of England, and also won the Cup of the country.
In 2013, however, it was rented by FC Everton. During the lease, he played 32 matches and scored three goals. After the end of the season, Everton’s management decided to buy the player. And he still is in the ranks of the “scouts”.
Other facts
Gareth Barry played for all the squads. Up to 16 and 18 years old, up to 21 years old and, of course, for the main team. For the last, he spoke from 2000 to 2012. He played 53 matches and scored 3 goals. It is also interesting that he was an ex-captain of the national team until the age of 18.
Of the achievements, in addition to the above, he has one more FA Cup. He also won the Intertoto main trophy.
What about privacy? In 2007, Barry got married. His chosen one is a childhood friend. Her name is Louise. The couple soon after the wedding had a son Oscar and daughter Freya.
Interestingly, Gareth's best friend is Michael Standing. Together they played for Aston Villa. It is worth noting that they moved to this club on the same day. And the players have known each other since ten years. Michael is also an agent of Gareth. Barry appointed him as such in 2009, when he stopped working with Alex Black.