Carbone 'snubbed' by Villa

Benito Carbone has turned his back on Aston Villa, claiming the club was "not really interested in keeping me".

Benito Carbone has turned his back on Aston Villa, claiming the club was "not really interested in keeping me".

The Italian striker's deal with Villa finished at the end of last season but the Villa manager, John Gregory, had been hoping to re-sign him up to last weekend. However, Carbone said: "The problem is not the manager, it is the club. Right through negotiations the best offer they gave me was £20,000 a week. That was marginally more than I was making before."

He added: "It is not true that I was asking for a massive amount. That they offered me only this was an indication that they were not really interested in keeping me at all. I find that disappointing."

Gregory refused to blame the goalkeeper, David James, after his last-minute error saw Celta Vigo claim a 1-0 first leg Intertoto Cup semi-final victory in Spain on Wednesday night. James flapped at a cross from Juan Velasco and the South African Benni McCarthy pounced to secure the Spaniards' win.

Gregory said: "James played well and didn't have that much to do although he made one crucial save in the second half. We didn't deserve that at the end. They got a lucky break."

Liverpool last night declared that Jamie Redknapp's knee operation has been a success. The Anfield club captain had the operation in Colorado earlier this week. The manager, Gérard Houllier, is resigned to losing Redknapp until Christmas and has confirmed that Robbie Fowler will take over the captain's role.

Graeme Souness, a former Anfield captain, is trying to sign Liverpool's French prospect Djimi Traore for Blackburn Rovers, offering £1.5m for the defender.