Gather round: Once upon a time, there was a news reporter called Bill and boy, did he get it wrong

Martin O'Neill has publicly humiliated Bill Howell this evening after the Birmingham Mail reporter claimed that Gareth Barry could leave Aston Villa, if the price was right (http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2008/05/14/gareth-barry-can-go-if-price-is-right-says-martin-o-neill-97319-20907961/).
Now, there is no evidence whatsoever, in fact quite a lot of reporting to the contrary, to suggest Martin O'Neill would be happy to see Barry leave, but Bill has quickly created the headline, as if he was about to walk on the set of Jackanory.