LERNER SET FOR BARRY TALKS

Barry - Liverpool target.

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner will meet Gareth Barry in an attempt to persuade the England midfielder not to join Liverpool.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been at loggerheads with Rafael Benitez over the Reds' interest in Barry, who has been linked with a £10million summer move to Anfield.

And O'Neill is refusing to give up Barry without a fight after watching his club captain fire Villa's second goal in the 2-2 draw with West Ham.

He said: "We want to do our utmost to keep Gareth because he's so important to us and is back to his brilliant best.

"It's interesting and ironic that apparently there was an offer from an Italian club for Steven Gerrard yet Liverpool were quick to remind everyone that he is under contract.

"Gareth has two years left on his contract and we want him to stay. The chairman will talk to him to show how much we value him.

"I will not be made to feel under pressure by other clubs because they want one of our players. We're going to talk it through with Gareth.

"I can't understand why Gareth would want to leave. He's only 27 and has been brilliant for us.

"He has been selected for England and has played regularly for them because of his exploits with Villa.

"In terms of him playing in the Champions League, we can guarantee him that within the next 23 years!"

Barry and Ashley Young were on target for Villa at Upton Park but their efforts were not enough to secure fifth spot and a UEFA Cup berth.

But they could yet qualify for Europe via the back door with their sixth place finish in the Premier League sending them into the Intertoto Cup - although O'Neill has his reservations over the competition.

He said: "I'm very pleased with the team because we've taken big strides since last season.

"It's disappointing we've missed out on the UEFA Cup but with Everton beating Newcastle it doesn't seem so bad.

"We're in the Intertoto Cup for definite now, which means we have to play 17 games in the middle of June!

"What it really means is that we have to be back a week earlier and be competitive sooner than expected because the ties are mid to late July."

West Ham striker Dean Ashton rescued a point with a lightning strike two minutes from time.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for the England marksman but boss Alan Curbishley insists the Hammers do not need to sell.

He said: "Every club has its problem over sides wanting to buy their players, look at Tottenham.

"It's something you have to deal with if it comes along but fans saw last summer that we had players coming in rather than leaving.

"We've had to balance the books a bit since but the numbers joining us was a big plus for us. We're hoping to build on that, I'm not under pressure to cut costs."

West Ham finished in 10th place and Curbishley insisted he could not have asked for any more from his injury-hit squad.

He said: "I've said all along how well my players have done.

"We let ourselves down in a couple of games but in the main we have done well despite having to contend with a lot of problems."