Aston Villa have finalised a loan agreement to send forward Louie Barry back to Stockport County for a third spell, following his recent recall from Sheffield United. The deal, confirmed on deadline day, sees the young winger return to Edgeley Park for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.
Barry's Return to Familiar Ground
Louie Barry is making a highly anticipated return to Stockport County, where he previously enjoyed two successful loan stints. His last spell at the club was controversially cut short when Aston Villa opted to send him to Championship side Hull City instead. However, that move was hampered by injury, and Barry has since been sidelined after an earlier recall from Sheffield United due to fitness concerns.
Recovery and Promotion Push
Despite currently being injured and expected to miss approximately another month of action, Stockport County have agreed to support Barry's rehabilitation process. The club, currently sitting fourth in League One, is hopeful that the forward can regain his form and contribute to their promotion ambitions in the latter stages of the season.
During his previous two spells with Stockport, Barry demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess, netting an impressive 25 goals in 46 appearances. His return is seen as a strategic move to bolster the Hatters' attacking options as they chase automatic promotion, trailing second-placed Lincoln City by six points and leaders Cardiff City by eight.
Villa's Loan Strategy
Aston Villa's decision to loan Barry to Stockport County reflects their confidence in the club's ability to aid his development and recovery. The full agreement between the two clubs underscores a mutual commitment to the player's progression, with Stockport providing the ideal environment for Barry to rebuild his match fitness and confidence.
This loan move represents a fresh opportunity for Barry to reignite his career after a challenging period marred by injuries. Both Aston Villa and Stockport County will be monitoring his progress closely, with the aim of seeing him return to peak performance and help drive Stockport's push for Championship football next season.
