After weeks of seeing Barry openly covet a move to Liverpool the Villa faithful vented their anger at first hand in a pre-season win at Walsall.
Two Shaun Maloney goals helped the away side to victory but it was Barry who took centre stage.
The England midfielder was jeered every time he touched the ball, but when substituted he clapped the away support.
For some that only added to the feeling of anger, but it appeared to appease the more broad minded section of the travelling phalanx.
The majority of Villa fans refuse to accept the possibility of Barry playing competitive football for the club ever again.
Supreme
However, some claim they will support whoever wears a Villa shirt and that includes Gareth Barry.
Whoever is right or wrong, it can't be denied Villa really could do with keeping last season's skipper.
Barry showed some supreme touches of class which only served to outline why Liverpool are so eager to sign him.
As if distracted by the presence of the midfield maestro, Villa's second string went behind just before half time.
Walsall's Alex Nicholls took advantage of a mix-up between Villa keeper Elliot Parish and defender Eric Lichaj to slot home.
It meant the Saddlers held an undeserved lead going into the break but the away side restored parity 17 minutes into the second half.
Bragging
Maloney staked his claim for an Intertoto starting spot on Saturday with a sumptuous free-kick.
It was typical Maloney; a goal worthy of European football.
But the home side were back in front on 71 minutes after striker Patrick Suffo put a low drive past rookie stopper Parish.
It was left for Maloney again to save the day and he equalised with a rebound when Moustapha Salifou saw his shot parried.
And with just five minutes remaining, January signing Wayne Routledge struck a fantastic volley to claim local bragging rights for the away fans.
But boasting is the last thing on the agenda for Villa fans as the issue of Gareth Barry's future continues to dominate.