One of the most drawn-out football stories from the summer of 2008 was the will-he-won't-he transfer saga of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry to Liverpool. Reports suggest that while the player was keen to make the move, Villa were not so eager to let him go and demanded £18 million for his signature - a fee the Reds were seemingly unwilling to meet.
Looking back over his turbulent summer, Barry is quoted in British tabloid The Daily Mirror as remarking, "The Liverpool thing seems a few years ago now."
The 27-year-old was reportedly suspended by Villa manager Martin O'Neill for requesting a transfer and criticising the club.
However, he insists that is all gone and forgotten, stating, "Me and the manager are both professional people who want the best for Villa and my relationship with the manager is very good."
The England international midfielder also had his captaincy taken away from him but following the injury to Martin Laursen he has been given the extra responsibility once more.
"It can go through your head what others have done to get away from a club, but that was just not the reputation I would have wanted.
"Now I have got the armband back and everyone knows I enjoy captaining Villa. It can raise your game but I know Martin Laursen is still the club captain."
Barry played for Aston Villa the last time they reached the FA Cup final, which was in 2000. They lost to Chelsea 1-0 on that occasion and the midfielder is desperate to the chance to put that right.
"When an FA Cup final comes so early in your career, you are hoping you are going to get those chances regularly. It hasn’t happened but that was a great day. It is certainly something you want to get back to again.
"The FA Cup could be our best chance of silverware. If you look at the UEFA Cup and FA Cup, we will treat them on a par. There is a good chance [of winning] both."
Looking back over his turbulent summer, Barry is quoted in British tabloid The Daily Mirror as remarking, "The Liverpool thing seems a few years ago now."
The 27-year-old was reportedly suspended by Villa manager Martin O'Neill for requesting a transfer and criticising the club.
However, he insists that is all gone and forgotten, stating, "Me and the manager are both professional people who want the best for Villa and my relationship with the manager is very good."
The England international midfielder also had his captaincy taken away from him but following the injury to Martin Laursen he has been given the extra responsibility once more.
"It can go through your head what others have done to get away from a club, but that was just not the reputation I would have wanted.
"Now I have got the armband back and everyone knows I enjoy captaining Villa. It can raise your game but I know Martin Laursen is still the club captain."
Barry played for Aston Villa the last time they reached the FA Cup final, which was in 2000. They lost to Chelsea 1-0 on that occasion and the midfielder is desperate to the chance to put that right.
"When an FA Cup final comes so early in your career, you are hoping you are going to get those chances regularly. It hasn’t happened but that was a great day. It is certainly something you want to get back to again.
"The FA Cup could be our best chance of silverware. If you look at the UEFA Cup and FA Cup, we will treat them on a par. There is a good chance [of winning] both."
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