Curtis Davies says losing skipper Gareth Barry to Liverpool would be a "step backwards" for Aston Villa.
"It would be a big blow to us (if he left) because it would be a step backwards," said Davies. "Other players have got to do what they've got to do.
"I was in the same situation. I needed to move on to progress and if Gareth ever thought that, I would never hold it against him as a man. But as a Villa player, I'd love him to stay."