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O'Neill 'desperate' to keep Barry

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill says he is "desperate" to keep captain Gareth Barry at the club.

The 27-year-old England midfielder has been linked with a move to Chelsea or Liverpool this summer.

O'Neill told BBC WM: "We're going to do everything possible to keep him at the football club.

"We're desperate for him to stay because he's a major part of it but I'm not surprised that loads of people are chasing him."

Barry still has two years of his contract left to run and is due a testimonial, having signed professional forms for Villa in February 1998.

Barry, who has been capped 17 times by England, told BBC WM: "It's certainly flattering to be linked with them [Chelsea and Liverpool], but I'm enjoying my football here.

"There's still so much to play for at Villa and there's no reason to be sidetracked by anything else."