Agbonlahor urges Barry to snub Liverpool and stay at Aston Villa

Manager Martin O'Neill is ready to offer new deals to Agbonlahor, Barry and Ashley Young this summer after helping Villa finish sixth in the Barclays Premier League.

But Agbonlahor believes Barry could be the most difficult to hold on to with Liverpool having already had a £10million bid for the England midfielder rejected at the start of the month.

Three is not a crowd: Martin O'Neill is determined to keep Agbonlahor and Barry at Villa Park next season.

However he insists Villa can break into the top four and provide Barry with the Champions League football he desires next season.

"It's important to keep Gareth but it's important to keep a number of players," Agbonlahor said.

"The gaffer knows how key Barry has been to us this season but you can't stop what can happen so hopefully he will stay because it's important.

"Gareth has improved as well. He has been on top form for the last two seasons and, if he can stay, it will be a plus for us.

"Breaking into the top four in the next few years is what we want.

"We know it's going to be hard but, if we get the right squad, then we're capable of
doing anything we want to do. Hopefully we can push on next season."

Agbonlahor was linked last season with a £15 million move to Arsenal but he insisted he is keen to keep improving under O'Neill.

"Villa is where I enjoy my football. I'm getting chances in the first team," he added.

"It's difficult to imagine I could have the same improvement anywhere else.

"I have to give the gaffer credit for it because it's only since he's been here that I've made those improvements.

"Hopefully I can stay in the team and carry on improving.

"It's just what the gaffer can do and why he's rated so highly because people
have come in and played their best football in the last two seasons."