Aston Villa boss Unai Emery reveals the plan for Louie Barry as transfer rumours continue
by John Townley, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/john-townley/ · Birmingham LiveAston Villa manager Unai Emery says he is yet to take a definitive decision on Louie Barry’s future as Championship clubs queue to take the forward on loan.
The 21-year-old trained for the first time since returning from his loan spell at Stockport County on Wednesday. He missed County’s New Year’s Day clash with Birmingham City through injury, but is now aiming to impress Emery at Bodymoor Heath.
Barry was recalled from his loan spell at Stockport after scoring 15 goals in 23 League One games, leaving Dave Challinor's side as the division's top scorer. He spent the whole of last season at Stockport and helped them to the League Two title after bagging nine times in 20 games, but missed a portion of the season due to a hamstring injury.
READ | Aston Villa face another FA charge for 'improper' behaviour and get four days to respond
READ | Unai Emery responds to Diego Carlos speculation after Milan Skriniar transfer twist
Villa have received plenty of interest from clubs keen to take Barry on loan for the remainder of the campaign with over three weeks of the window remaining.
"He trained with us and we are going to make a plan with him, an overall plan," Emery explained in his press conference on Friday. "I think he is a very good player who is progressing very well. He has been on loan doing fantastic. Now we can have a new plan with him.
"He improved because he was scoring a lot of goals on loan. With us he only trained today and yesterday. Of course we are going to try and get a good plan for the club with him."
Asked if a decision has been made whether he will be staying or heading back out on loan, Emery responded: "No."
What do you make of Barry's future? Tell us here
Buy your Aston Villa 150th anniversary commemorative kit
Aston Villa have released a special commemorative kit to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary - and you can get your hands on one now.
The club is continuing its season-long celebration on Friday night when Unai Emery's side host West Ham in the FA Cup. To mark the fixture, which is nearly 150 years to the day of their first-ever recorded match, players will wear a one-off black kit.
It's the colour Villa first used for their kits before the transition to claret and blue colours. The shirts will also feature adidas' Aeroready technology as well as the famous three stripes in all black.