The man who discovered Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has urged him to move to Liverpool.

Les Rogers unearthed the midfield gem at Brighton and Hove Albion's Centre of Excellence 17 years ago and the coach has continued to closely monitor his protege's development in the West Midlands.

"Yes I think he should go, how often will this opportunity come around?," Rogers told the Sunday Mercury.

"He's been loyal and he's had previous opportunities to leave but now he will be torn.

"He's done a tremendous job with Villa and they've been tremendous for him but the chance to go to Liverpool is too big of an opportunity not to take. If he didn't go it would end up being a 'what if?' scenario. He might end up having a drop in form and regret his decision to stay.

"He would miss playing at Aston Villa but the opportunity to join a top four club is too great. Martin O'Neill has been a brilliant manager for Gareth and Villa have really looked after him.

"But he will be playing at a top four club and he wants to hold on to his England place, which I know he values a lot, and now that he is back in the international team I think it's the right time for him to move.

"I think he will go and I think he should go."