Aston Villa supporters turned on unsettled Gareth Barry during the friendly victory at Walsall.

Barry was disciplined for criticising manager Martin O’Neill after the 27-year-old revealed he wanted to quit Villa and join Liverpool.

But the proposed move has stalled amid ill-feeling as Liverpool have failed to meet Villa’s £18m asking price.

Barry has returned to training but was a target for Villa fans as he played for an hour in their 3-2 victory.

Walsall took the lead through Alex Nicholls in the 42nd minute, but Shaun Maloney equalised with a 62nd-minute free-kick.

Trialist Patrick Suffo, the former Sheffield United striker, made it 2-1 to the home side with a low drive.

Maloney levelled again from close range with 10 minutes remaining before Wayne Routledge volleyed home the winner four minutes from time.

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Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has denied he is interested in signing Valencia striker Nikola Zigic.

The Serbian international was linked with a move to Villa Park by Valencia’s sporting director Juan Sanchez.

But O’Neill told the club’s official website: “There’s not a grain of truth in the story that we’ve put in an offer for the player.

“I don’t know where it’s coming from and I don’t even know who the player’s agent is.”

Speculation has been rife in national and local media that the 6ft 7in striker was a Villa target who would be brought in to compete with another former Valencia star, John Carew, but O’Neill is adamant it will not be happening.

“I wouldn’t normally comment but there have been so many stories claiming this as fact and people have been quoted,” he added.

“They’re completely wide of the mark so I felt I had to put the record straight.”

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Aston Villa have agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell in a £5m deal subject to him passing a medical.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill now expects his lengthy pursuit of the former England under-21 star to be completed by Thursday at the latest.

“For whatever reason, it did not work out for him at Chelsea,” said O’Neill.

“However, I believe he has the right quality to take Aston Villa forward. He remains hungry and I’m delighted to have him with us.”

Sidwell, 25, failed to establish himself at Stamford Bridge after moving from Reading on a free transfer last summer.

He is the likely replacement for captain Gareth Barry when he finally completes his move to Liverpool.

If Sidwell’s medical goes to plan, he will then fly out to link up with Villa’s pre-season tour of Switzerland.

Sidwell was part of the Arsenal side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2000 and 2001 and had loan spells with Brentford and Brighton.

He was unable to force his way into the first team with the Gunners and moved to Reading in January 2003 on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Sidwell played a big role in Reading gaining promotion to the top flight for the first time two years ago, but he rejected a new contract that summer and left the Royals on a free transfer to move to Chelsea in 2007.

“Steve actually played for Reading in my first match at Villa Park. You always take note of players who do well against you and he stuck in my mind,” added O’Neill.

“However, I was less happy to see him do well again when we played at Reading that same season. He scored the second goal against us that day. But, again, the quality of his performance stayed with me.”

O’Neill, meanwhile, could name Martin Laursen as captain in place of Barry, who is waiting to get the go-ahead to complete his switch to Anfield.

He said: “There are a number of people on the list and Martin Laursen would certainly be one of the names I’d be thinking about.

“He was terrific last season. There are a number of people who would want it but there are a number of people who are on my list who might not want it. I haven’t discussed it yet.

“There are quite a few candidates at the club and perhaps others not yet at the club so that’s something I’ll look at further down the line.”

Ref From BBC Sport