Stand-in skipper Gareth Barry believes it is vital for Aston Villa to retain the services of leading scorer Milan Baros after this season.

Baros has a get-out clause in his contract which will allow him to leave after the World Cup finals providing any interested parties can meet a fee of around 16million. But Barry insists it is important Villa attract more players of the quality of the the former Liverpool player, who moved to the midlands club in a 6million deal last summer.

Barry, who is acting captain in the absence of the injured Olof Mellberg, told PA Sport: "Hopefully he can stay for next season and we can push on. He is a class player and we need more players like Milan at the club. We don't want to lose him."