GARETH Barry last night admitted he will have to consider his future at the end of the season if Aston Villa do not reach the Champions League. (Daily Mirror)The 28-year-old insists he has not given up on Villa's chances of finishing in the top four even though Arsenal have leapfrogged them.

GARETH Barry last night admitted he will have to consider his future at the end of the season if Aston Villa do not reach the Champions League. (Daily Mirror)

The 28-year-old insists he has not given up on Villa's chances of finishing in the top four even though Arsenal have leapfrogged them.

But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who tried to sign Barry last year during a bitter transfer saga, is certain to come back for him this summer.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill persuaded the midfielder to give the Midlands club another season to reach the Champions League but may be unable to stand in his way if they fail to make it again.

He is now facing another summer of uncertainty, knowing Fabio Capello wants his players to be plying their trade in the Champions League.

England midfielder Barry said: “The way we've played this season, there's no reason why we can't get enough points from the last eight games to be there or thereabouts. Anything after that, I'll deal with at the end of the season.

“These are negative comments thrown at me that I'm trying to push away from the squad.

“In my eyes, there are eight games to go and I still believe we can finish in the top four. I'm hopeful the rest of my teammates are too.

“This year hasn't been a problem, competing in the Uefa Cup. I've played regularly this year.

“It's not the be-all and end-all playing in the Champions League, but it helps in a World Cup year playing at the top level.”