UNFINISHED BUSINESS
GARETH BARRY believes West Brom have the game plan and quality to inflict play-off pain on his old club Aston Villa.
And the 38-year-old is excited about the “dream” prospect of promotion enabling him to add to his Premier League appearance record next season.
Former England and Manchester City midfielder Barry is hugely disappointed to miss the Baggies’ play-off semifinal, first leg at Villa Park on Saturday after a knee operation.
But he is around Albion’s camp all this week in the build-up to help the relegated club in their bid to bounce straight back up.
Barry has more incentive than most after surpassing Ryan Giggs as the Premier League’s allhome
vtime record appearance holder with 653.
His contract is up this summer but he intends to play on next season and has his sights on returning to the top with Albion.
Barry, speaking as he presented the prizes at the Nick Mowl Cup (below, second right) which raised funds for the Kaleidoscope Plus Group, said: “The dream would be West Brom getting promoted and signing a new contract there. Let’s get, hopefully,
the three games out of the way first.
“But I definitely want to play another year. I am very disappointed to miss these games.
“They are huge, not just financially but also with it being a derby with extra spice for the fans. There is going to be no bigger game for us than Aston Villa.
“I have had an operation on my knee but I am keen to be around this week at the training ground.”
West Brom drew at
with Villa in December and won 2–0 at Villa Park in February.
Barry, who made almost 450 appearances for Villa before leaving for Manchester City in 2009, says it is again vital the Baggies subdue the noisy 42,000 crowd in the first leg.
Villa boss Dean Smith has said their home support could be as good as a one-goal lead.
Barry admitted:
“It is a concern but it will be a tactic to keep the crowd quiet.
“We went there earlier this season which was one of our best professional performances.
“We got the goals early and managed the game well.”