Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will only sell Gareth Barry to Liverpool for the right price.

He told the BBC: "Gareth and I had a little chat when he got back from holiday and he has said he would fancy going to Liverpool.

"That's obviously a big setback to us, but the offer from Liverpool is just not acceptable.

"It's very frustrating. We finished sixth last year, he was a major part of that and he has been a splendid player for us for some considerable time."

O'Neill accepts it is a fact of life star players will always be targeted by big clubs and has vowed the club will continue their bid to break the stranglehold of the 'big four' in next season's Premier League.

"If Manchester United are having a struggle keeping hold of (Cristiano) Ronaldo, I guess the rest of us have a bit of trouble," he added.

"It's difficult (to break into the top four) but that's what you're in the game for. If it's without Gareth Barry, we'll still have a go."