Aston Villa put off by Joey Barton wage demands and Newcastle price tag

Aston Villa appear unlikely to sign Joey Barton after being put off by the player's wage demands and Newcastle United's asking price. Gérard Houllier was keen on bringing Barton to Anfield during his time in charge of Liverpool and has revived his interest in the midfielder since taking over at Villa. Barton, however, is earning £67,000 per week at St James' Park and it is also understood that Newcastle would want £6m for a player who will turn 29 later this year. With Paul Faulkner, Villa's chief executive, eager to reduce the Midlands club's wage bill after it climbed to £71m in the last set of accounts, there appears little prospect of a deal taking place. Barton has previously suggested he would be happy to remain at Newcastle but he has less than 18 months remaining on his contract and there is no chance of Mike Ashley, the club's owner, sanctioning a new deal on similar terms. West Ham expressed interest in the former Manchester City player but they also felt the financial package was beyond them. Villa, meanwhile, have had a bid turned down for Joe Lewis, Peterborough's former England Under-21 goalkeeper. Houllier is in the market for a long-term replacement for Brad Friedel and has joined the long list of clubs tracking Lewis, who has handed in a transfer request.