Bentley Bid Confirmed:
Martin O'Neill this evening confirmed a bid for England midfielder David Bentley had been rejected by Barclays Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers.
But, speaking as his side prepared for tomorrow's Intertoto Cup clash with Odense BK, the Villa boss dismissed reports he is still pursuing the 23-year-old former Arsenal trainee, insisting the search for reinforcements has now been switched elsewhere.
Rovers boss Paul Ince revealed on Tuesday that Villa were the only club to have made a formal bid for Bentley's services but made clear his determination to keep the player.
Responding to Ince's comments, O'Neill told avfc.co.uk "I wouldn't normally respond to individual links but as 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 out attentions to other transfer targets."
Source: avfc.co.uk