Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry insisted he can cope with the disappointment of a collapsed move to Liverpool ahead of Sunday's clash between the two sides at Villa Park.

Barry, speaking for the first time since the move to Anfield fell through, said: "Will Sunday be strange? I am 100 per cent for Villa. That's all I'll be doing. That won't be strange at all.

"I've spoken to the manager and I've no problem giving 100 per cent for Aston Villa - and that will be starting against Liverpool on Sunday.

"Will the fans all be behind me? All I can do is give 100 per cent for the club. That is all the fans will want to see anyway. I am sure that will be enough."

Barry, who has two years left of his current Villa contract, admitted: "It has been a long summer. There was continuous speculation but I feel I am strong enough mentally and I'll be fine with it all now.

"Am I here for the long haul? I always take things a season at a time. This speculation happened at the end of last season and it has been decided I'll be staying at Villa.

"I'll take this season now, concentrate on that and hopefully we can improve on last season.

"Do I feel hung out to dry over what has happened? That is what the football business is all about. I am contracted to Villa. They set a fee and it wasn't matched. Rules are rules."