Furious Martin O’Neill has launched an attack on Rafa Benitez as the war of words over Gareth Barry escalated.

Villa boss O’Neill says his Liverpool counterpart has shown a lack of respect and still insists  that Barry is not for sale.

O’Neill’s anger centres around national newspaper claims from Benitez that O’Neill ‘knew my idea and I knew his’ with regard to a potential £10m deal to take the Villa skipper to Anfield.

“I couldn’t have been more angry,” fumed O’Neill. “It’s a long time since I’ve been so angry. I noticed the newspaper headline that I was ‘exposed’ over a conversation in which Benitez had spoken to me 20 days ago.

“I never denied we had a conversation, but we haven’t had prolonged discussions since. I haven’t been ‘exposed’. That suggests some sort of fraudulent behaviour.

“Benitez is quoted as saying ‘he knew my idea and I knew his.’ I didn’t have an idea.

“Villa fans have seen quotes about this ‘prolonged conversation’ and so are thinking ‘are they actually trying to sell?’ It’s simply not true.

“I’m not here to promote a price for Gareth Barry. Barry is not for sale. It’s not on the agenda, but it’s interesting to note Benitez can put a price on a player (Peter Crouch) who has one year left of his contract because he plays for England He must have forgotten Barry is playing more regularly for England than that player.”