Gareth Barry: Five memories from two decades in English football
Take a look at five memories Gareth Barry shares from his two decades at the top.
Favourite goal
“The one I enjoyed most was for Villa against Spurs,” he explained.
“Don’t know what year it was but it was with my right foot.”
Well, the year was 2006 and Villa were trailing 1-0 at home to 10-man Spurs after Juan Pablo Angel had missed penalty and then scored an own goal.
Ten minutes from time, Barry beat two players before curling a gorgeous effort with his weak foot past England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and into the top corner.
Toughest opponent
“Steven Gerrard,” he says, without missing a beat.
“Defensively and attacking wise – he had all the tools. He played with aggression and at his peak he’d be the one I say I’d least like to play against.”
But there is also high praise for his former City team-mates David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
“In terms of strikers, Aguero is one of the best.
That moment, you’re waiting for him to produce a bit of magic, he’s capable of it.”
Most embarassing moment
“Probably breaking up the (Kieron) Dyer and (Lee) Bowyer fight. I don’t enjoy seeing that picture.
“People have always got something to say on that.”
But his funniest moment was scoring an own goal for Villa three minutes into a seven-goal thriller with Charlton back in 1999.
Five minutes later he had gone up the other end and scored, although Villa eventually lost the barnstorming match 4-3.
The most hostile ground to visit
Barry’s played at nearly every Premier League ground going, but the best atmosphere came at one he’s familiar with.
“Probably Everton,” he said. “It was nice to be on the other side of it. They’ve very demanding fans and right on top of you. I’ve experienced both sides of that.”
However, Goodison Park’s two-tiered ground will be just a memory soon, because Everton are planning to build a new stadium.
Biggest rollicking from a manager
It’s hard to imagine Barry, the consummate professional, doing too much to displease his manager, and telling-offs have been scarce.
“I’ve not had too many to be honest but Martin O’Neill dished me out a couple!” he admitted.
“He’s not scared to say what he thinks. I was captain at the time and certainly remember a couple from him. Team-mates always find that funny after a game when you’ve had one.”
