Villa Face Everton Fight

Last updated : 11 April 2009 By Tom Vickers
Villa's against Everton on Easter Sunday is the possibly the biggest match-up of the season for anyone involved with the Claret and Blue. The significance of the fixture cannot go unnoticed. It is what they call "a six pointer".

But the importance of the game extends beyond mere Premier League points - however crucial they may be.

An Everton win really would be the back breaker for Villa in their seemingly forlorn Champions League challenge.

It would also most likely signal the end of Gareth Barry's stay in the Midlands when the campaign reaches its conclusion. The England talisman has already made known his desire to leave Villa should they fail to finish in the top four. The midfielder wants more and it is a reasonable desire.

Everyone at Villa - like Barry - has at a dream.

The fans dream of trophies and Champions League football, Martin O'Neill dreams of a big squad which he can rotate to the full and Nathan Delfouneso dreams of one day owning a nice Lamborghini like his mate Gabby Agbonlahor.

The thing is, Barry is the only one who can make dreams become reality within the next year. He has drawn plenty of interest from Rafa Benitez and Liverpool as everyone is aware.

Interest

And Arsenal are also on the lookout for a neat and tidy central midfielder, as if Cesc Fabregas and Denilson weren't enough.

That is not to mention the obvious interest that will come from abroad with Barry set to be available for a cut price fee after he buys out his contract.

The dynamic former Villa captain has put himself in the shop window with some fine international displays.

He has clearly impressed Fabio Capello and was the only outfield player to play in all 10 England games during 2008.

And, as if that wasn't enough, he was also named runner-up to Wayne Rooney in a recent F.A. poll in which the fans chose England's top player of last year.

Barry has deservedly hit the headlines and for a while Villa did too.

O'Neill's men received a plethora of plaudits after winning seven consecutive away games over the New Year period and they were the talk of the nation.

Comments

Now, after eight games without a win - a run which has seen them knocked out of two cup competitions and slip to fifth in the league - the club are forced to listen to negative comments.

The game against Everton is actually now being talked about as a fight for fifth. How disheartening after Villa were even mooted as possible title challengers, never mind fourth placed finishers.

The Claret and Blue are facing up to their failings and Barry may soon add insult to injury.

But a win against the Toffees could just get help Villa out of a sticky situation.
A morale boosting victory resulting in three more Premier League points could see the Villans set themselves up for a barnstorming finish to the season.

With six favourable fixtures to come after Sunday's clash, Barry and co may actually begin to believe again.

Fans will again believe their dreams could actually come true. O'Neill too will believe. And Delfouneso, well he'll have to keep on dreaming.

The message is simple: Villa must win.