Nigel Reo-Coker has urged Gareth Barry to stay with Aston Villa.

He said: "If we want to get to that fourth place, you wouldn't want to lose our best players.

"I've always been a big fan of Gareth even before I came here. He's always been a top class player for me and he's been fantastic for us this season.

"It's important for us to keep him but that's not my decision, it's down to Gareth, the manager and the powers that be. Whoever makes the decision - Gareth, Martin or whoever, it's going to be an important decision.

"I really don't get involved in people's situations. It's very important for us to keep Gareth, but only Gareth can speak about that and make his own decision.

"That's between Gareth and the manager. I haven't really spoken to Gareth or Martin about it."