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Premiership

Gareth Barry to Liverpool for 20 million?

Not if Deadly Doug Ellis had anything to do with it.

Former chairman Doug Ellis says Aston Villa should to keep captain Gareth Barry.

The England midfielder has been the subject of interest from Liverpool for a number of weeks with reports suggesting that Barry has informed Villa of his desire to join the Reds.

Ellis understands Barry's desire to move on, saying: "He is 27 and sees the Champions League as something he should play in."
He also coneded that the transfer would represent good business for Villa: "The financial side - the £20 million for Barry - is not a bad deal."

But Ellis, dubbed "Deadly Dougie" for his ruthlessness during his 31 years as chairman, is not underestimating the pivotal role the player occupies at the club:

He said: "It will be a big loss and I would fight like hell to keep him."