Barry played in a pre-season friendly for Villa against Walsall

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill wants a resolution to Gareth Barry's proposed transfer to Liverpool as the summer-long saga continues to drag on.

BBC Sport understands Villa have rejected a bid of �13m for the 27-year-old and O'Neill wants to know where he stands so he can plan his own season.

"They've not officially come back to us in any form of writing. It's a really awkward position," he said.

"I wouldn't mind it ending one way or another. We've our own plans to make."

Barry has made public his desire to move to Anfield, but O'Neill added: "We shouldn't be at Liverpool's behest.

We're not sure where Liverpool stand now Villa boss Martin O'Neill

"We haven't heard back from Liverpool for some time.

"When people say people are in limbo, I don't think that applies to anybody more than ourselves. We don't know whether to move forward or not with it."

And the Villa boss remains keen to keep England international Barry at the club.

"My preference - and hopefully I'm speaking for a lot of Villa fans, if not all of them - is that we would like Gareth to stay at the football club," said the Villa boss.

"That would be great because it will be hard to replace him, but we're not sure where Liverpool stand now."

Barry received a harsh reception from Villa fans when he played in a pre-season friendly against Walsall earlier this week.

He was not involved in the first leg of Villa's Intertoto Cup tie at Danish side Odense last weekend, but O'Neill says he would be happy to pick him for the return leg if he is the right frame of mind.

"He will be in contention for Saturday," said O'Neill.

"I have never not been impressed with him in two years as to his attitude on the football pitch.

606: DEBATE What do you make of the Barry situation?

"In fairness the Intertoto gives us that chance to get into the Uefa Cup, which we set out to get into by one way or another, and Gareth was a major part of that last year."

Even if Barry did play for Villa on Saturday, he would still be able to play for Liverpool in European competition if he moved to Anfield.

Under Uefa regulations, Barry would still be eligible to play for another team in European competition this season, as the Intertoto Cup is not covered by the same eligibility rules as the Uefa Cup and Champions League.