Barry – I´ll stay at Villa if we reach Champions League

England midfielder Gareth Barry has told Aston Villa he is willing to stay at the Premier League club if they qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Barry, who will be 28 on Monday, was close to joining Liverpool last year after setting his sights on a move to a team playing in Europe’s elite club competition.

But Liverpool refused to meet Villa boss Martin O’Neill’s asking price and Barry was forced to stay at Villa Park.

The stalemate has turned out well for Barry however as much-improved Villa are in contention for a top-four finish.

Despite Saturday’s home defeat to Chelsea, Villa are still well placed to knock Arsenal out of the top four and Barry insists he will be content to stay with O’Neill’s side if their current form continues.

“There’s nowhere else I would want to be playing at the highest level,” Barry told the The News of the World.

“It’s easy for me to want Aston Villa to play Champions League football. It is also easy for me to give 100 per cent when I am playing for Villa – and to want them to finish as high as possible

“It has been great to be loyal to one club for all these years and have that good rapport with the fans.

“To play at the very top level is even better. The games are coming thick and fast now but I am looking forward to each one of them.

“I feel fresh because the manager has rotated the squad well.”