I think it needs to be reminded to some people that Villa finished just 2 places behind Liverpool this season and are very much a team heading in the right direction. For Joe to accuse us of being a small club is ridiculous. We can afford him, we're a club firmly in the black, unlike liverpool.

Steve, Birmingham,

"Villa can't afford Barry"

Eh, and Liverpool can? Methinks you're forgetting something here.

Liverpool's reputation as a club is gradually on the slide, and this latest episode from Benitez et al only highlights the lack of class they have.

Calum, Falkirk,

I detect a certain amount of bitterness from the Liverpool fans & manager. A club that I used to be fond of have descended into the Man Utd of the 70's & 80's, barking on that they are a "big" club & that Villa are "small."
Aston Villa are the 4th most successful club in English football history.

Michael James, London,

I think O'Neill needs to understand that Barry, who Villa poached from Brighton's youth team, has now outgrown the club. He won't sign a new contract and will be worth even less at the end of next season, they should try to get the price possible (I reckon about £12-13m) and move on.

Rob, London,

Also villa can't afford barry. 42,000 pound a week
in the current climate is what top championship teams pay if villa want to compete you have to open that cheque book. Why else have you lost mellberg. Your just a small team and you shouldn't stop barry from trying to become better that is selfish

joe, liverpool, uk

By giving a false impression and being staunchly stubborn to accept the real fact of a player who determined to establish himself in both international and Champ league is simply irresponsible of a manager - O'Neil

Sham, Tampines, Singapore

Why is Martin O'Neill so over-sensitive about everything? It was okay for Villa to sign Watfords best player(Young) halfway through the season when they were battling relegation. Did Bothroyd act like a spoilt 10 year old kid then. No. Liverpool can offer Barry something that Villa cannot.

Carmine, liverpool,

It is no longer worth commenting on Rafa Benitez's rather warped approach to player acquisition.

Mick, Cork, Ireland

If the boot was on the other foot and a team were sniffing round Steven Gerrard, would Benitez be so philosophical as to say "that's football?" I doubt it! The lack of class at boardroom level seems to have rubbed of to the manager, as seen in the fact he is also insulting the Villa with a £10m bid!

Freddie, Cheshire, England