Villa fans wouldn't have dreamed of it.
Martin O'Neill wouldn't have even contemplated it.
And Gabby Agbonlahor wouldn't have heard a word said against a team mate, who had just provided the pass which saw him net a first senior hat-trick for Villa.
But, after England's horror show against Czech Republic on Wednesday night, England boss Fabio Capello claimed that talk of a move to Liverpool had affected Barry's performance.
The intriguing Italian took the easy way out.
He picked on a player who is a relative newcomer when it comes to consistent games for his country.
Barry was an easy target and his recent links with a move to Liverpool provided Capello with the excuse that he was looking for.
Why not question the performance of Frank Lampard - a player who was booed off by the 70,000 fans present?
Was his performance not affected by recent speculation placing him firmly in an Inter Milan shirt?
Preposterous
And what about John Terry and Rio Ferdinand?
Were their performances not hindered by the talk of captaincy coming into the game?
No is the answer because Capello's claim is simply preposterous.
But he cannot deceive the English footballing phalanx.
It is clear that the problems of the national side pivot around more than just a lack of focus. A lack of direction is proving particularly troublesome.
By playing Gerrard on the left what is expected?
By leaving out our best right back (Micah Richards), what can be achieved?
The truth is that Barry made Croatian international right back Vedran Corluka look like a Conference player on Sunday.
And if that is a lack of focus, you have to wonder just how much Capello wants from the talismanic midfielder.
He may just have to consider that England's inconsistency is due to a team not an individual.
The irony is, when England faced Croatia, the Three Lions were the ones who showed all the skill of Mansfield.
The criticism of Barry is not constructive but the same kind of attitude towards Rooney and Co might just be.