Express & Star: Gareth Barry can play for Villa in European competition this weekend without it jeopardising his chances of Champions League football. Manager Martin O'Neill is considering whether Barry's controversial but impressive first 60 minutes of the season at Walsall last night warrants a first team call, in Saturday's concluding leg of the Intertoto Cup clash against Odense. The decision puts Barry on course for another hostile showdown with Villa fans who booed his every touch at the Banks's Stadium last night. But with Villa tied at 2-2 and still with work to do to reach the UEFA Cup beyond, O'Neill has not ruled out the prospect of turning to his best midfield player at some stage of the match. Players are allowed to represent one club in the Intertoto competition, without becoming ineligible to play in other European football for different clubs.

BBC Sport: Shaun Maloney has said he is hoping for a recall to Aston Villa's starting line-up when they take on Odense in the Intertoto Cup second leg on Saturday. Maloney scored two goals in Villa's 3-2 friendly win at Walsall on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Scottish midfielder told the club's website: "Fingers crossed I can play a part on Saturday. "The boys played pretty well in patches in Odense so I think it will be difficult to break into the starting line-up for the second leg." He added: "I've done all I can so hopefully the manager knows I am ready if the call comes."

Birmingham Mail: Two goal Shaun Maloney today warned Villa their Intertoto mission against Odense is far from over. The Scotland international scored a fine free-kick and then a tap-in in last night's 3-2 win at Walsall - with want-away Gareth Barry surprisingly included in the Villa squad. Much speculation still rests over Maloney's future, with Celtic keen to take him back to Parkhead, but he is concentrating on kicking off the season with Villa. And he wants a starting role against the Danes on Saturday. "Fingers crossed I can play a part against Odense,'' he said. "The boys played pretty well in patches in Odense so I think it will be difficult to break into the starting line-up for the second leg. But I've done all I can so hopefully the manager knows I'm ready if the call comes. ''Saturday is a great opportunity to move closer to the UEFA Cup but at the same time we can't afford to be complacent."

Express & Star: Gareth Barry was given a hostile reception by Villa fans after making his first appearance since demanding a move to Liverpool. With all 11 of the side who played in Saturday's Intertoto draw rested, the wantaway midfielder was one of just a handful of first-team players named in a youthful Villa side, which fought back to claim a 3-2 win in last night's friendly at Walsall.