‘Intense competition’ claim made over Aston Villa January transfer

Both Swindon Town and Doncaster Rovers are fighting it out over a move for Aston Villa’s Louie Barry before the end of the transfer window, according to reports.

Barry is now back at Villa after an unsuccessful loan spell with Ipswich Town in the first part of the season.

During his few months at Portman Road, the 18-year-old made just two league appearances playing a total of 68 minutes of League One football.

He returned to Villa at the start of the transfer window, and made a return to the club’s U23 side for the last two games, scoring and impressing in Monday night’s 4-1 win over Reading .

The youngster could head out on loan again before the end of the transfer window as he looks to build up his experience of more first team football.

League Two side Swindon Town are said to be long-term admirers of the player, with the Swindon Advertiser reporting that the Robins ‘remain interested’ in signing Barry on loan before next week’s deadline.

Swindon could however face competition from teams further up the pyramid with the report stating that League One side Doncaster Rovers could provide ‘intense competition’ to any potential deal.

Barry burst onto the scene last season when he made headlines by scoring Villa’s goal in a 4-1 FA Cup loss against Liverpool. A Covid outbreak within the Villa first team squad means that the club were forced to line up with a side made up of U23 and U18 players.

Speaking after Barry was recalled, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna said that despite a lack of minutes, the youngster will still take a lot from his experience at the club.

"He had an injury issue when I came in, some illness issues as well, so he's missed some football. He hasn't played as many minutes as what he'd hoped