Barry has been a long-term target for the Barcodes, who are looking to bolster their midfield after Lee Bowyer's recent departure, but although Villa desperately want to bring in Milner, operations director Steve Stride has insisted he will not be used as bait. "We're not sure where this story came from," he said, mouth agape, before cricking his neck and answering himself, "I had a long chat with Greame Souness when he was Newcastle boss and got the feeling he was ready to make a bid.
"But I would have told him to forget about it," he Tutankhamuned, studiously kneading his chin. David O'Leary is keen to hang on to the left-sided utility man but is the need for Milner could be greater. If it proves so and Barry dons his cloth cap before setting off towards the dark cloud, O'Leary could turn his attention to Wigan winger Lee McCulloch as Villa strive for the wing partnership they so clearly lacked last term.