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Villa boss O'Neill furious with Reds over Barry offer

02/05/2008

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has blasted Liverpool over the timing of their bid for Gareth Barry.

Newspaper reports today claimed the Reds had tabled a £10 million offer for the England midfielder.

Despite a host of options in central midfield including Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, Rafael Benitez wants to partner Barry with skipper Steven Gerrard.

O'Neill rubbished claims the Reds had made a cash offer for the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his current contract.

"Liverpool haven't made a straight cash offer. They've made an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges, O'Neill told the club's official website.

"It is particularly disappointing to find out that Liverpool, I think, have carried the story in their local paper - it is certainly not the way the Liverpool of old would have conducted business and I prefer to do it in a bit of privacy with a bit of confidentiality and it is disappointing especially at this time with two games to go.

"We're trying to build a side here and we're not a feeder club.

"A couple of weeks ago Gareth said he would prefer to wait until the end of the season before we start discussing things and I think that would be the right thing to do."

Skipper Barry has guided Villa to sixth in the Premier League table, and has started both England games under manager Fabio Capello.

The midfielder, who is expected to start against Wigan Athletic tomorrow, celebrates the tenth anniversary of his Villa debut next week.