Barry’s five months with Messi pay off
LOUIE BARRY used to train on the same pitches as Lionel Messi and, against Liverpool last night, he showed exactly what he had learned from the Argentine master. Barry was not born when James Milner made his Premier League debut — off the bench for Leeds against West Ham in December 2002 — yet the 17-year-old has already had more noise surrounding him than many players who have played dozens of first-team games. After spending 10 years at West Brom, Barry — a lifelong Villa fan — moved to Barcelona in July 2019 for a basic training compensation fee of just £250,000. Yet after barely five months training close to one of the greatest players in history, Barry was on his way back to the Midlands to join the club of his heart, for £880,000. Albion were furious, believing they had been out-manoeuvred in the market, and even considered taking action against Villa and Barcelona. Since Barry returned to English football, Villa have been at pains to play down expectations. He was not near the first-team picture and, without the Covid outbreak that forced the senior squad into isolation, it is doubtful that he would have made his full debut this season.
The secret is out now, though. Even before his goal, Barry had served notice of his talent. Playing as a lone forward, he took on Fabinho early in the first half and went on a barnstorming run that resulted in a corner. Then there was the goal: running on to Callum Rowe’s pass, Barry outmuscled Rhys Williams and produced a finish to make Messi proud, a low strike into the bottom corner that gave Caoimhin Kelleher no chance. For an hour, Villa matched Liverpool — a remarkable effort for a team with an average age of 18. Four members of the Villa line-up — Ben Chrisene, Lamare Bogarde, Barry and wing-back Kaine Kesler Hayden — were not born when Liverpool star Milner made his senior debut. Bogarde, 17, is the nephew of former Ajax and Holland star — and long-term Chelsea outcast — Winston Bogarde, and 16-year-old Chrisene was signed after impressing at Exeter. Some Villa youngsters had to be dropped off at the stadium last night by their parents as they are not old enough to drive. Now they have learned about life in the fast line — and Barry looks as though he might just be able to stand the pace.