3 Players offered to Villa

The Daily Mail revealed Rafael Benitez offered Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill the choice of three players plus cash in a bid to prise Villa captain Gareth Barry away from Villa Park.

John Arne Riise, Scott Carson and Jermaine Pennant were the players offered to O’Neill who promptly blasted the Spaniard for his ‘insulting’ offer.

Rafa is determined to bring in fresh blood for the new season and get a head start on his rivals for quality English players, Blackburn’s David Bentley and Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon are all rumoured to be Anfield-bound.