Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has accepted he's likely to lose Gareth Barry in the summer.

The Mirror says O'Neill wants to keep Liverpool target Barry, 27, but the star is ready to leave Villa after 10 years for a bigger club and the chance to play Champions League football.

Villa are aware of Liverpool's interest after the Anfield outfit made an enquiry last month about the £14m-rated England midfielder.

Chelsea are also keen but Villa will offer Barry a bumper new deal to improve his £47,000-a-week contract, which has two years left.

O'Neill said: "We will do our utmost to try to keep Gareth - whether we can I don't know."