Barry Bannan Biography

Name :

Barry Bannan

Nationality :
Scottish

Date of Birth :
01/12/1989

Height :
5' 7" (170cm)

Weight :
9st 6lbs (59.93kg)

Squad Number :
25

Previous Clubs :
Leeds, Blackpool (loan), Blackpool (loan), Derby (loan),

Position :
Midfielder


You'd think Barry Bannan scoring his first senior goal for Villa against Rapid Vienna would go down as his 2010-11 season highlight - but it's not and that owes much to the team ethic of the midfield maestro.

Bannan says the courageous draw against Champions League runners-up Manchester United was the top moment of his breakthrough campaign in claret and blue - as he set his sights on more standout moments in 2011-12.

Bannan was part of a youthful line-up against the eventual Barclays Premier League winners back in November 2010.

Also starting that game were Marc Albrighton and Jonathan Hogg while Chris Herd, Eric Lichaj and Nathan Delfouneso all came off the bench in the Red Devils clash.

Bannan says that 2-2 draw was tremendous because it was against the odds.

And the midfield dynamo admits that sort of experience has whetted his appetite for more brilliant battles for this fresh campaign.

He'll certainly be raring to go after seeing his last term fade off a little, with a loan spell at Leeds forming the majority of his action in the closing months.

For twinkle-toed midfielder Bannan, the previous 2009-10 campaign started and ended in glory.

He was one of the star performers when Villa lifted the Peace Cup in Spain and even beat one of the world's best goalkeeper's, Gianluigi Buffon, from the penalty spot.

The Scotsman then headed out on loan to Blackpool and played his part in the Seasiders winning promotion to the Premier League.

Before that, he had already enjoyed a European experience with Villa.

He unexpectedly found himself making his senior debut in a UEFA Cup match against Hamburg in December 2008, when he replaced Craig Gardner for the final half hour.

Bannan followed this up with a place in the starting line-up for the second leg against CSKA Moscow a few months later.