Sunday Media Watch

Observer: James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor mayhave scored the goals that secured a seventh successive win for AstonVilla, setting a new club record, but this victory had the name ofGareth Barry stamped all over it. Indeed, the evidence is mounting thatthe England midfielder, whose influence here could not be exaggeratedas Villa inflicted the first defeat on Blackburn since Sam Allardycetook charge, may prove to be one of the most significant personalitiesin this season's Premier League title race. Certainly, Martin O'Neill'sdecision to play "hard ball" with his player in the summer and refusehis desired move to Liverpool now looks like an act of unadulteratedgenius.

News of the World: James Milner's name has been alittle overshadowed in Villa's surge towards the Champions League buthe looks ready to beam off the billboards now. He took charge of aseventh consecutive away Premier League victory and scarcely put a footwrong. Milner was named in the England squad against Spain - andconsistent form like this and he will stand a great chance of makingthe plane for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Sunday Mirror: Gareth Barry did not much like itwhen Aston Villa blocked his path to Liverpool. But the Englandmidfielder can certainly have no complaints about how well things havepanned out for him ever since. Barry's desire for European footballprompted him to seek a move from the Midlands to Merseyside. But he cannow sleep safely in the knowledge that he is going to fulfil thatparticular ambition with Martin O'Neill's men next season. More to thepoint, he will be playing Champions League football if this performanceby Villa is anything to go by. O'Neill's expansive team swept asidereviving Rovers as they stormed to a club record seventh successiveaway win.

Mail on Sunday: Martin O'Neill's men were goodvalue for the points with another impressive display which could havebeen far more dominant had they taken a few more of the large number ofchances that came their way.Once again, the pace of Gabby Agbonlahorand Ashley Young, plus the strength of Emile Heskey, tore holes in theopposition as Villa threatened on the break. But the star of the showwas James Milner, who, in addition to scoring an excellent goal, put ina typically hard shift.

Independent on Sunday: Maybe the question needs tochange. Instead of wondering whether Aston Villa are good enough tobreak into the top four the query should be who is going to stop them?This was their seventh successive away victory - a club record - andsuch is their momentum, Arsenal might not catch them and Chelsea, whowere overtaken yesterday, have every reason to be anxious. Villa scoredthrough the excellent James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor and, eventhough the second arrived only in the 90th minute, they werecomfortably the better side against Blackburn Rovers.

Sunday Times: How's this for romance, Lancashirestyle? Forget a weekend in Paris, a dozen red roses or having anaeroplane write someone's name in the sky. "Order your personalisedValentine's Day brick", flashed the ad on Ewood Park's big screen. Infootball love is ... three points. Aston Villa do not do much to wooneutrals but their manager, players and supporters are besotted witheach other. And why not? Martin O'Neill waved fondly at the fans beforebeginning an orgy of hugging with his players.