Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed the club had a bid for David Bentley rejected by Blackburn while admitting the Gareth Barry situation is "unchanged."

Bentley has signalled his intention to leave Ewood Park in order to further his international ambitions. Blackburn rejected a bid from Tottenham on Thursday which followed their turning down of the offer from Villa last month.

Now O'Neill insists he will turn to other targets rather than reignite any interest in the England player.

He told the club's official website: "I wouldn't normally respond to individual links but as (Blackburn boss) Paul Ince rightly said, we did make a bid for David Bentley.

"That was some time ago and Blackburn rejected the bid - as is their prerogative. We do not intend revisiting that and we have switched to other transfer targets."

On Barry, O'Neill added: "I've spoken to him this week and he reiterated a desire to join Liverpool. So the situation remains unchanged, we're still waiting to hear back from Liverpool."