Barry would welcome Villa Bellamy swoop

Skipper Gareth Barry is backing Craig Bellamy to help take Aston Villa "onto the next level" of European football if he completes a summer move from Liverpool.

Bellamy is one of Villa boss Martin O'Neill's leading targets as part of an expected spending spree bankrolled by owner and chairman Randy Lerner.

And Barry said: "I'd definitely welcome Craig Bellamy. He has proved himself in the Premier League - and across Europe as well."

There is intense speculation that the Welsh international, who worked under O'Neill during a loan spell at Celtic two years ago, will become surplus to requirements at Anfield after just one season.

And O'Neill will be at the front of the queue bidding for Bellamy's signature if Rafael Benitez is ready to off-load the striker.

Barry added: "People like Craig Bellamy are the kind of quality players we want to be linked with and, if we sign them, it's even better. We're now being linked with all the top players and hopefully this summer we can sign a couple.

"The next step for the club is to move on to the next level, which is European football, and Craig Bellamy can help us do that if he comes or if players of that quality come as well.

"He's feisty but maybe that's something the club needs. You need winners in your team and he is definitely one of those."

Barry was reassured by O'Neill that quality players would be on the agenda this summer after agreeing to sign a new four year contract.

He said: "When I had a chat with the manager at the beginning of the season, assurances were made that we would be signing quality players."