Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has refuted Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez comments over Gareth Barry transfer saga.

The Reds boss is reportedly keen to take the England international to Anfield, but is said to have the initial £10million approach snubbed, with O’Neill left angry over the Merseysiders’ interest made public.

Then on Thursday, Benitez reportedly claimed he and O'Neill had discussed the "idea" of Villa captain Barry's transfer to Anfield.

"What idea did I have? I've got absolutely no idea! I have no idea what he's talking about. It's absolutely crazy," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"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. 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."