Martin O’Neill is ready to accept Liverpool’s £15 million offer for Gareth Barry now that Steve Finnan has been offered in a part-exchange deal. As Barry, the England midfield player, was expressing his disappointment at the controversial nature of his departure from Aston Villa, the manager was preparing to sign Steve Sidwell as a midfield replacement.

Sidwell is due to have talks with Luiz Felipe Scolari over the next 24 hours, when it is believed that the new Chelsea manager will confirm that the midfield player, signed from Reading on a free transfer last summer, will be told that he can join Villa for £5 million.

Villa head to Switzerland on a two-match tour today, with Barry left at home after being banned from preseason training in the wake of a critical interview in a Sunday newspaper that has left him as public enemy No 1.

Martin Laursen, the leading candidate to succeed Barry as Villa captain, has been on the phone to his friend. “I have spoken to him,” the Denmark defender said at the launch of Villa’s new kit yesterday. “He’s not happy with that [being cast as the villain]. I understand supporters want to keep their best player, but I hope that they can remember all he’s done for the club.

“We’re talking about a guy who’s played here for ten years, become the youngest player to play 300 Premier League games, been our captain, done so many good things for the club. I’m sad that the fans are angry with him now and they should remember what he has done for this club.”

The £10 million sale of Peter Crouch by Liverpool to Portsmouth means that Villa can expect to receive half the fee for Barry up front, with half to follow in 12 months, while O’Neill will be delighted to acquire Finnan after being without a recognised right back last season. Liverpool will also pay add-ons if Barry wins the Champions League with them.

Laursen rates Barry highly but does not believe that he is irreplaceable. “Obviously, it’s a big loss,” he said. “He was a very good player, a nice guy, a good captain, but there are a lot of players who can do as good a job as he can. I’m sure we can bring in a player who is as good as Gareth.”