Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has dismissed Gareth Barry's complaints about playing left-back in their 0-0 draw with Portsmouth.

He said: "At the end of the day I pick the side. Players are paid to play in whatever position I put them in. The explanation I give them should be good enough. If Gareth accepted that explanation, then that is good enough for him.

"I have nothing to say about his comments, because I don't know how they were said. So I take no notice of it at all. What I will say is that Gareth Barry has played left-back before.

"I can't remember the last time he actually started at left-back, Gareth has made his name in recent times by me playing him in midfield, but he has played left-back for every other manager at some stage, and has played often there.

"When we put him into a settled position in midfield, and he played regularly there, that's when he came to the attention of England. At the end of the day, I would expect players to play in any position I give them.

"Carlos Cuellar did that. Everybody can be asked to play in a position and if I think it is for the good of the team, that's what I'll do."