Ollie Hails In-Form Team Mate

Olof Mellberg last night added his voice to the growing chorus of praise for team mate Gareth Barry, insisting: ：He gets more influential with every game.；

Like Barry, the Swedish international has been ever-present for Villa this term. And he has seen the England Under-21 skipper quickly settle into a midfield role.

Calls are now growing for Barry to earn a recall to the senior England squad and Mellberg said : ：I don・t think I・m the man to have an opinion on who should be in the national team. But I know that is the aim for Gareth and the way to get into your national team is to play consistently well for your club.

：Certainly he・s doing very well for Villa and he・s been doing very well in every position he・s played in. He is a very, very good player and I think he・s got a great future.

：He・s played down the left, in a central midfield role and I think for the Under-21s he・s played as a centre-half. So he・s a useful player.

：He・s growing into the midfield position and he・s been more influential with every game. Hopefully he can continue to do well.；