O'Neill shocked by Rafa remarks May 09 2008
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has dismissed as "absolutely crazy" Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez's latest remarks in an escalating row over Gareth Barry.
O'Neill reacted angrily last week when news of the Reds' £10million bid for the Villa skipper was made public.
Benitez claimed on Thursday he was surprised by the Ulsterman's indignation because the pair had discussed the "idea" of a Barry transfer - which could include a player exchange - "20 days ago".
O'Neill responded on Friday by telling his club's official website: "What idea did I have? I've got absolutely no idea!
"I have no idea what he's talking about. It's absolutely crazy.
"It suggests this is a conversation that I wanted to keep going, to keep on the boiling pot. Absolutely not. It's a complete nonsense.
"This is not something I initiated and I certainly was not on the phone to him to ask him about his players either, which I think is something he's trying to refer to.
"That is not true. He mentioned players himself but I might not be interested in any of his players."
Benitez claimed O'Neill had known "everything about my idea and I knew about his idea".
But the Villa manager has rubbished suggestions that the Spaniard's remarks somehow expose their previous conversation.
He added: I'm absolutely astonished at this story, 'Rafa Exposes O'Neill'.
"I've never denied speaking to Rafa Benitez so how can you be exposed for something you haven't denied?
"I think Rafa is being very clever here. He gives the impression that there's been constant dialogue. That's simply and utterly untrue.
"He made a phone call to me - I did not initiate the phone call.
"He asked about Gareth Barry and I said: 'Well he's got a testimonial and two years left to run and he's our best player.' So what would the reaction be?
"I said that I would speak to our owner - obviously because he has a big, big say in the proceedings - and I assumed he would have the same answer as myself - that Gareth wasn't for sale.
"So I'm astonished to read this. The next conversation I had with Rafa Benitez was last Friday morning when Liverpool had put in a faxed offer to us which we received on Thursday afternoon."