"My mind's made up, I want to join Liverpool," said the England international.
"There's no going back, it's time for me to move on. I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa.
"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks. It's seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer's found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn't found time to speak to me.
"Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing."
