Barry booed. Can any Villa fans explain why?

Filed in archive Transfer rumours on July 23, 2008

What a shame that the Aston Villa fans couldn't rise above the behaviour of fans of other clubs and hold back from jeering and booing Gareth Barry when he played for Villa in a pre-season friendly at Walsall.

As a fan I fully understand the frustration, anger and upset when a player you formerly regarded as a hero makes it clear that he no longer wants to play for your club.

In this case however, Gareth Barry has been incredibly loyal to Aston Villa and has been a one club man. He now wants to progress his career by playing Champions League football. I really can't see that he has done too much wrong.

Obviously he shouldn't have publicly criticised his manager Martin O'Neill, but if what he said is true, then he would have had a right to feel aggrieved.

It may be that Barry has said or done something about which I am unaware. Can any Villa fans explain why they feel so betrayed by this man who has done so much for the club?