Gareth Barry is in new contract talks with Aston Villa.

The People says Barry's new representatives had a sit-down with Villa chiefs last week and the message from the meeting is that the skipper wants to stay, despite his previous unrest.

Barry was close to quitting Villa for Liverpool in the summer and both Manchester City and Chelsea have kept an eye on the fact that his contract is running out and has just 18 months to run.

But Barry is now in the mood to line up a new deal.

In public he has said he would wait for the season to unfold, but these private talks have given Villa - and boss Martin O'Neill - a massive lift.

Barry's affairs are now being handled by his old pal and former Villa team-mate Michael Standing. He has split with his former agent and rejected advances from several other wheeler-dealers.

He could be offered the best deal in the club's history - around £80,000-a-week - and that would ensure Villa do one of the smartest bits of business in the window and tie their man down.