Barry aware of consequences - O'Neill

12 April 2012

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists Gareth Barry "knew the consequences" of his decision to play against FH Hafnarfjordur in Thursday night's UEFA Cup second qualifying round match.

Barry scored the opening goal as Villa cruised to a 4-1 victory in Iceland, a result which home boss Heimir Gudjonsson admitted has killed the tie off at the halfway stage, but by playing, Barry may have damaged his chances of a move to Liverpool - as he will be ineligible for the Champions League group stages.

O'Neill said: "He was in the right frame of mind and wanted to play. Nothing would have stopped him so that is pleasing. I have no idea what will happen between now and the end of August. He knew the consequences of playing tonight so the decision was very much his."

O'Neill's side, being watched by England boss Fabio Capello, went into an early 3-0 lead with goals from Barry, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, before Matthias Gudmundsson pulled one back just before half-time.

Martin Laursen restored Villa's three-goal advantage after the break.

Villa have a comfortable advantage for the second leg, and they should ease into the first round proper of the competition when their Icelandic opponents visit Villa Park in a fortnight's time.

Villa face Manchester City in their Barclays Premier League opener on Sunday, but O'Neill said: "I could not think at all about the game on Sunday until we had played here, but I was very pleased with some of the football we played.

"We obviously need to tighten up our defence if we could, but I was very pleased to win."

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