Classic Times Fantasy Football is back. We got two great games for you to play and £100K to be won

Rafael Benítez has admitted before Liverpool's match away to Aston Villa tomorrow that his acrimonious relationship with Martin O'Neill has failed to heal after the summer's tortuous courtship of Gareth Barry.

The Liverpool manager said that he would greet his Villa counterpart only through duty after a prolonged and public exchange of dirty washing concluded with Villa hanging on to the England midfield player because Liverpool failed to match their £18 million evaluation.

While Barry, speaking publicly for the first time since Liverpool bid for him at the end of last season, insists that the wrangling over his future will not distract him as he aims to show Liverpool what they are missing, Benítez conceded that he shares no friendship with O'Neill.

Now there are TWO ways to feed your fantasy

We have built on last year's success of PlayTheGame by offering fantasy football managers double the fun this coming season

Multimedia

• Chelsea: On-the-job training

• Man United: You've been merked, Capello

• Reading: Is Lita's yesterday's man?

Related Links

• Chelsea face heartache over Robinho deal

• Keegan pleads for patience after Milner sale

O'Neill claimed that no one had won anything over the squabbling - Villa fans may beg to differ as Barry lines up in claret and blue tomorrow - but Benítez sounded the injured party yesterday when asked about his rapport with the Villa manager.

“I talked with him in April and I haven't spoken to him since then,” the Liverpool manager said. “Do I have a good relationship with him? I don't think so. If I have to say hello, then I will say hello to him. I don't have any problem.

“My concern is to see my team playing well on the pitch and if the other things can be good, then that's good. But if not, I will stay concentrated on my team. I don't know what the reaction will be from the Villa fans. But we were correct in what we did with the transfer.”

Asked whether Villa's pursuit of James Milner, whose £12 million signing from Newcastle United yesterday took O'Neill's summer spending to £48 million, smacked of hypocrisy, Benítez said: “I have my own opinion, but I prefer not to say anything.”

O'Neill said that he was sure there would be the customary post-match drink tomorrow - “I just won't be there,” he joked - but he was at pains to smooth any troubled waters between him and Benítez. “I don't think it's wildly important,” he said. “He's got his own things to think about, his own team, while I've got mine. But I'm not ringing other managers up every single day, asking them how they are.

“I'm sure it won't be a problem. I'm just so relieved Gareth Barry's still here. This is not a triumphalist shout and I do not know what will happen in the future. I'm just so pleased he's here at the football club for the foreseeable future.

“Three weeks ago I would have expected him to have gone. I was expecting Liverpool would come in and finally complete the deal. That's what we all thought. I just feel relief because he'd have been hard to replace and, as each day ticked by, it would've got harder. In terms of relationships with other managers, I haven't got a major problem. It happens in the game. It turned out in our favour, but no -one turned it that way.”

With Steven Gerrard sidelined after a groin operation, it is ironic that Liverpool have selection problems in midfield, where Villa are suddenly bursting at the seams.

Barry says that he is totally committed to helping Villa to prevail over his suitors. “I've got my head around being here now,” he said. “I spoke to the manager and I've no problem giving 100 per cent for Aston Villa, starting against Liverpool. It was a long summer. There was continuous speculation, but I am strong mentally and I'll be fine with it. It has been decided I'll be staying at Villa and, hopefully, we can improve on last season.

“Champions League football is a possibility. I know it is going to be difficult because even last season the top four were quite a few points ahead. It is a hard task, but not unachievable. You always need to set your targets high - that means taking points off the top four and Liverpool are first. If we get points off them, it will be a good start.”