With a big-money move stalling, Barry was forced to stay at Villa Park after making it clear he would welcome a transfer to Anfield. But the transfer talk has marred his legacy at the club and, after initially being used as a utility player, Barry made the central midfield slot his own - rising to captain the club.
Barry had been controversially plucked from the clutches of Brighton & Hove Albion's youth team and moved to Villa in 1997.
He has spent the majority of his time in Villa's defence and his versatility saw him fill in across the defence, and also in midfield.
A former England Under-18 captain, Barry made his England Under-21 debut in 1998 against the Czech Republic and then broke into the full team. He travelled to Euro 2000 with Kevin Keegan's England squad - after an injury ruled out Jason Wilcox - but did not feature.
He made his full debut in England's impressive 1-1 draw with then-World and European Champions France in September 2000 and was expected to develop into a quality international player. However, he fell out of favour with Villa boss John Gregory in the summer of 2001 and handed in a transfer request - and was then dumped in the reserves.
Gregory's exit gave Barry a new lease of life, and new boss Graham Taylor gave him the chance to shine in that midfield role so many had predicted.
His form continued into the 2002/03 season and Barry was one of the shining lights in an otherwise dull, and very forgettable, season for Aston Villa.
Impressing further under David O'Leary in 2003/04, Villa finished sixth in the League and opened talks over an extended contract at the end of the season, signing a deal to run until the summer of 2008.
In 2006/07 new manager Martin O'Neill recognised his talent and played him in the centre of midfield, where he blossomed. Captaining the club, Barry ended a four year international exile when he was called up by Steve McClaren in February 2007.
His partnership with Steven Gerrard in midfield raised many eyebrows and Barry's stock continued to rise throughout the 2007/08 season where he enjoyed personal success, despite Villa failing to make it into the UEFA Cup.
Interest from Liverpool in the summer transfer window sparked Barry to ask for a transfer, but with the Anfield club unwilling to meet O'Neill's £18million price-tag - Barry looks set to stay at Villa.
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