Credit: Breaking Media

Max Wilkins

Mon 11 May 2026 14:20, UK

Louie Barry could join Stockport County in a permanent move from Aston Villa in the summer.

The 22-year-old has had his fair share of injury troubles in recent years, which have certainly damaged his career progress.

After spending two spells in the Championship with Hull City and Sheffield United, fitness concerns ultimately forced him back to League One.

The Englishman returned to the Hatters for the third time in January, where he could only make his first appearance after moving in April.

There are now questions emerging about Barry’s future with the Villans moving into the summer, with a permanent stay at Edgeley Park potentially on the cards.

Louie Barry pondering over permanent Stockport County stay

There were high expectations when the young forward completed a move from Barcelona to Villa Park in January 2020.

The then-16-year-old looked to be the future of Villa’s attack, but things haven’t worked out in B6 and he’s departed on multiple loan deals over the years.

There have been various spells with the likes of Ipswich Town, MK Dons and Salford City among others, but his best form has certainly come at Stockport County.

That was marked with a recent hattrick against Peterborough United as he scored the first goals of his third spell with Dave Challinor’s side.

That hasn’t changed questions over his future in claret and blue, with former Villa scout Bryan King now suggesting that Barry will be mulling over a permanent stay with the Hatters.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “I think he’s too good for Stockport.

“He’s improved them, and I think they are lucky to have a player like him.

“I think he’s already proven his quality in League One, even after his injury.

“Villa will be tracking his progress and assessing his fitness because if he’s susceptible to these big injuries, they’ll want to move him on.

“Maybe being able to live in Manchester suits him, so he’ll be considering for a stay at Stockport.

“He’ll have to the question if that’s the level he wants to play at.”

Barry’s future will be under review at Aston Villa moving into the summer, and it may prove to be his decision whether he stays at Edgeley Park.

Aston Villa must greenlight Barry summer exit

Unfortunately, things are just never going to work out for the ex-West Brom academy star at Bodymoor Heath.

He has fallen victim to the meteoric rise under Unai Emery and finds himself hitting the heights at League One and Championship level rather than the Champions League.

A permanent summer departure would certainly benefit all parties, and a stay at Stockport County could improve matters for all involved.

Staying at a side that he has thrived with over the years makes perfect sense and would only be made better if they win the play-offs and earn promotion into the second tier.

It looks to be the end of the road for Barry at Villa Park, but it could be the perfect chance for Barry to hit the heights expected of him.