OPINION
While Aston Villa somewhat blew their chances of automatic promotion to the Premier League this season, Steve Bruce’s side still have a brilliant chance with the play-offs on the horizon.
And, should they get through the two-legged semi-final, likely to be against Middlesbrough, then they will back themselves against anyone in the final.
Should Bruce and his men achieve that feat and secure a return to the Premier League after two seasons in the second-tier, then attention will turn to what promises to be a hectic summer.
Villa will need to bring in some new faces to freshen things up at Bodymoor Heath, and Bruce will no doubt be looking to recruit some experienced heads to their mission of staying up next season.
According to the Mirror, Villa are eyeing up a summer swoop for their former captain, Gareth Barry, who looks set to leave all-but-relegated West Bromwich Albion this summer.
The newspaper claim that the 37-year-old has a clause which will allow him to leave the Baggies this summer, and Villa will move for him should they get promoted.
This would be a transfer masterstroke from Bruce, who would be securing a sensational return for one of Villa Park’s former favourites.
The morale boost of having someone like Barry – who holds the Premier League record for most appearances – cannot be understated, and he would give them a massive chance of staying up.
In footballing terms, Barry would help provide some stability in midfield, where the Villans have struggled to find just that this season.
His experience would also be crucial in their quest to avoid relegation, with Barry having won the competition with Manchester City in 2012, and it looks likely that this deal would not be particularly hard to complete.
Barry has reportedly put his Cheshire home up for sale as he eyes a relocation back to the Midlands, and Villa are also willing to offer him coaching opportunities should he want them.
Overall this is a deal that makes perfect sense for both sides, and could end up being a stroke of absolute genius from Bruce.