Louie Barry fights to save Aston Villa career as deal could be terminated early

We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…

Alan Hutton can see Aston Villa terminating Louie Barry's loan deal at Stockport County in January to enable him to play at a higher level.

Barry, 20, joined the League Two club on a season-long loan in the summer and has since scored seven goals and supplied two assists in 12 appearances.

Since joining the Villans from Barcelona in 2021, Sutton Coldfield-borm Barry has had a number of unsuccessful loan spells away from B6 but he seems to have finally found his stride at Edgeley Park with the Hatters.

Hutton feels as though Barry could be recalled by Villa and sent back out to a higher level in the January transfer window.

However, the ex-Villa right-back admits that the ex-West Brom centre-forward could be fighting to save his Villa Park career while out on loan this season.

"They could possibly bring him back and send him to a higher league, maybe the Championship or League One. He's scoring goals in League Two but I don't think he comes into this Aston Villa first-team squad," Hutton told Villa News.

"If anything, I think he could be playing for his future elsewhere, if I'm totally honest.

"Barry is a guy who came into the club when I was there and the potential and the noise that surrounded him was incredible. You thought he was going to break into the first team and be the next big thing along the likes of Jack Grealish but it's not quite worked out for whatever reason.

"At this moment in time, it's more important that he stays out on loan, works hard for the team he's with and see where it takes him. It'll be very difficult to break into this Aston Villa squad."

In other Aston Villa news, the club could threaten to terminate a behind-the-scenes deal earlier than anticipated.