Wherever Villa have gone, whatever they have done this summer everything has revolved around the pivotal midfielder.
But this time, only superlatives could be used to describe the England star.
After appearing to commit his immediate future to Villa, Barry proceeded to inspire his side to a fantastic win against Icelandic table toppers FH.
After appearing in Reykjavik, the Claret and Blue captain of last season is now cup tied in Europe.
That means, should he complete his long drawn out move to Liverpool, the 27 year old would be unable to play for the Reds until the Champions League knockout stages.
Surely they wont want him now. Surely they will let him be.
Villa are desperate for Barry to stay, and he showed just why by inspiring the side to victory.
The dynamic midfielder opened the scoring in Reykjavik and then set up Ashley Young who smashed in the second.
Gabriel Agbonlahor and Martin Laursen added to the tally to complete a stunning victory.
Intrigued
Matthias Gudmundsson did give the home fans something to shout about just before half time but by then the game, and probably the tie, was out of sight.
Villa had started the game in Iceland without John Carew, who was replaced Marlon Harewood.
Nicky Shorey made his debut at left back alongside captain Martin Laursen
The Danish defender looks set to be Villa's skipper for the season after being given the armband at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium.
But the talking point of the night was inevitably Gareth Barry, and he opened the floodgates after just four minutes after FH failed to clear a cross from Ashley Young.
Former Watford winger, Young, then got on the scoresheet himself as he cut in from the left and cracked a shot past the hapless Gunnar Sigurdsson.
It was reminiscent of the finish against Odense in the Intertoto Cup and it was watched by an intrigued Italian. Englnad manager Fabio Capello was in Iceland, and as Young again impressed, a start for England in the friendly against Czech Republic next week now looks likely.
Another man who may find himself in contention for the clash at Wembley is Gabby Agbonlahor.
Confidence
The whippetesc striker showed panache as he passed the FH defence with ease and guided a shot into the home net to make it 3-0.
Marlon Harewood could have all-but sealed the tie five minutes before the break when he found himself one on one with Sigurdsson, but he was denied by the keeper.
FH then claimed their consolation ad Gudmundsson guided a header into the empty net after Brad Friedel was deceived by a cross.
But Villa composed themselves after half time and Martin Laursen's trademark header gave the away side a virtually unassailable lead ahead of the second leg at Villa Park in two weeks time.
Villa can look ahead to that game with confidence and now, just as importantly, they can be confident that Gareth Barry will still be at the club when the transfer window slams shut at the end of this month.