Liverpool seem to have embarrassed themselves AND former Villa skipper Gareth Barry.
The men from Merseyside have failed to produce the funds to sign England midfielder Barry, leaving the 27 year old in a state of purgatory.
Rafa Benitez has been fully aware of Villa's demands for weeks now yet he continues to produce derisory offers for a man he was apparently so keen to sign.
Benitez was fully prepared to declare his interest in Barry publicly, hence unsettling the player.
But he then flattered to deceive by making an offer of around £13million (£5million short of Villa's valuation.)
Since the first bid, no offer has met the asking price and Barry has regretfully followed the lead of Benitez by using the Press as a tool.
He slated manager Martin O'Neill in a Red Top newspaper and claimed that a move to Anfield would be a dream.
Now it looks like Barry's fantasy is just that as the Reds have failed to come back in for him.
Barry has been forced to face a backlash from Villa fans in the pre-season game against Walsall.
And he is now facing up to the prospect of another season at Villa Park.
Cauldron
Unfortunately for the former Brighton man, he won't retain his captaincy.
Barry will be forced to take orders from Martin Laursen who looks likely to be his replacement in the role.
He will also be forced to face a cauldron of hate if he runs out at Villa Park against Odense on Saturday.
Although, many fans would be pleased if Barry stays there will be many more who would fail to accept his return to competitive action for the club.
Barry may never again enjoy the admiration that he has received during his 11 year career at the club.
For Benitez, Barry will be just another missed transfer target. The Spaniard will move on, but could Barry? That is the question.
Maybe it's time for Barry to eat a large slice of humble pie where his current manager is concerned.
Maybe it's time for Barry to aknowledge that Villa want to keep him more than Liverpool want to sign him.
And maybe it's time he faced up to his mistake and made a public apology.
That would go some way to sparing his blushes.
Loyal
If Barry needs a glaring example of repairing your reputation, he need look no further than friend Steven Gerrard.
As for the red faced Benitez, he should accept defeat rather than making bids which he knows don't match Villa's demands.
The Matador doesn't seem to realise that his counterpart Martin O'Neill doesn't need the money.
After all, the savvy Northern Irishman is backed by a loyal American owner. Not a concept Benitez is Au Fais with.
The situation is not yet irretrievable and Barry could be back in the competitive fold sooner rather than later.
The question is how long will it take for him to be back in the hearts of the Villa faithful?