Nigel Reo-Coker is convinced Aston Villa fired a warning to all rivals after managing to hang onto Gareth Barry.

The former West Ham player said: "A lot of players have been away for the best part of two weeks because of the World Cup qualifiers and Under-21 games - but everyone has been so pleased about Gareth staying.

"He is one of our top players. A fantastic player, a great asset to the club, and a real professional. I always rated Gareth highly, even before I came to the club last summer, and it's great to hang on to him.

"It makes us a stronger squad - and a more serious contender to break into the top four. It is very important that we managed to hang on to him.

"It's up to the individual to interpret the situation what has happened but it shows what we are trying to do, plain and simple. It shows how serious we are.

"So many clubs in the Premier League are considered feeder clubs but you can see how serious and ambitious this club is.

"Keeping Gareth sets a marker and I think other clubs will notice that. We're not here to make up the numbers. We want to push onto into that top four."