Exclusive: Lee Hendrie drops "inevitable" Aston Villa, Louie Barry prediction after Sheffield United loan | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has been discussing whether Aston Villa will sell Louie Barry after his loan spell with Sheffield United.

Aston Villa may have a big Louie Barry transfer decision on their hands once his loan spell with Sheffield United concludes next summer.

Ever since signing for Villa as a 16-year-old from Barcelona in January 2020 in a deal worth £880k, much excitement and hope has surrounded Barry's potential.

After quickly turning heads in the club's academy side, the versatile forward was already on the first-team fringes after just 12 months at Villa Park, but given that the club were in the midst of re-establishing themselves as a Premier League force during that time, opportunities to break into the senior side were extremely limited for him.

In the years that have followed since his move to the Midlands, Barry has been sent out on numerous loan missions which have seen him ply his trade at every level of EFL football.

Lee Hendrie drops Aston Villa, Louie Barry transfer prediction for after Sheffield United loan stint

However, despite penning a new deal with Villa in January prior to joining Hull City on loan, the 22-year-old still only has a solitary appearance for Aston Villa to his name.

Unai Emery has some top-class forward players in his ranks too, and with Barry yet to truly prove himself at Championship level, he could still be some way off making the first-team grade at Villa Park.

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Villa legend and Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie: 'Do you think Aston Villa will sell Louie Barry in the summer after his spell at Sheffield United?'

Hendrie said: "Louie Barry, he's been having spells out on loan, and they've offered him a new deal which he's signed.

"I think for obvious reasons, for Villa being under that watchful eye of Financial Fair Play (FFP), I think it's inevitable that he will get sold.

"I think that's why they've put him on a new deal, hoping that he goes out to Sheffield United and does do what he's capable of doing, and that's being a success.

"Him being on loan could certainly attract other clubs, and have the potential for paying the fee that he's well worth.

"The flip side of that is that he absolutely storms this season, and Villa do want to keep him.

"So, I think Villa hold the cards, but yes, I do think it's inevitable that Louie Barry will be sold, unfortunately."

2025/26 feels like a make or break season for Louie Barry for the sake of his Aston Villa prospects

Now 22, Barry is rapidly moving further away from the relative protection from scrutiny that comes with being a young player.

That he still is, but with a considerable amount of EFL experience under his belt, and having shown the talent at his disposal when scoring 15 goals in 23 League One appearances for Stockport County last season, the time feels like it's arrived for Barry to evolve into a proper player at senior level.

Indeed, despite Aston Villa's poor start to their 25/26 season, Emery is naturally expected to quickly get things moving in the right direction once again, with a team that will be competing in Europa League football this term thanks to their sixth-placed finish last season.

However, there does appear to be a big opportunity for Barry to potentially place himself in the first-team frame at Villa Park next season, but it will rely upon him having an excellent campaign with Sheffield United this term.

Emery's current wide options are fairly limited, with Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho signing on loan deals - albeit with the former's including an obligation for Villa to purchase him from Liverpool.

Morgan Rogers - who could be sold in the near future -, Donyell Malen, Evann Guessand, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia are the other options who can play on the flanks, but the majority of those are either unproven at Premier League level, or are facing uncertain futures of their own.

Therefore, if Barry could register a real breakthrough Championship season this term, say perhaps a double-digit return for goals and/or assists, then the talented Villa academy graduate could return to his parent club with his best chance yet of making the cut.