Herein is disclosed an oxygen barrier composition comprising an oxygen barrier polymer and an oxygen scavenging polymer. The composition can be in the form of a physical blend or a cross-linked blend, and can further comprise a compatibilizer, a transesterification catalyst, or both. Preferably, the oxygen barrier polymer is poly(ethylene/vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyamide other than MXD6. Preferably, the oxygen scavenging polymer comprises an ethylenic backbone and a pendant cyclic olefinic group, or the oxygen scavenging polymer is a polyamide derived at least in part from a xylene diamine-based monomer.The oxygen barrier composition can be formed into an oxygen barrier layer of a packaging article. Such layers and articles, and methods for making same, are also disclosed.