Fabian Delph - Signed for Manchester City

[West Derby Villan]

Yep, in the grand scheme of things they were all with us for a tiny amount of time. I wouldn't bracket Milner in with the other two though. He seemed to conduct himself with a degree of professionalism when he left.

Milner was a true professional in every way. He was a great servant for us when on loan and after he signed, I would have him back in a shot but I think he will go to Leeds to finish his career

[tomd2103]

Yep, in the grand scheme of things they were all with us for a tiny amount of time. I wouldn't bracket Milner in with the other two though. He seemed to conduct himself with a degree of professionalism when he left.

Milner was a true professional in every way. He was a great servant for us when on loan and after he signed, I would have him back in a shot but I think he will go to Leeds to finish his career

Agree.  He signed for us, did a job and then left when a better offer came along.  That's exactly what most good professionals do in every walk of life and we got good money for him so no issues there.  I just wish we could have seen the midfield three below on form and play at least a season together:


                            Barry

             Milner                  Delph   

[kipeye]

Do you know what? I'm tired of reading all this about ex-players-unless you are talking Steve Hodge, none of this has much to do with the players themselves more the career they are in. If any of our old players (ex Hodge) -old being the usual description, came back and put in a shift for us I will be happy.
There are so many things that dictate where a player goes and for how much-it is less about loyalty than the job they do. This is the money grabbing Preeemiership after all.

[SoccerHQ]

When I went to a Villa Legends night, Tony Morley was well on Delph's side, saying it had been him who wanted to be sure Villa earned a decent amount from his sale. I did wonder if this was known fact in Villa circles or if Morley was being an ex-pro and seeing it from Delph's viewpoint.

The argument falls down for me somewhat when you see the pitiful release clause, which surely had been driven down by the player's representatives and agreed to by a Villa in dire need of a crowd-pleasing announcement, and then all that "I'm staying" cobblers before he pissed off. If he had the club at heart that release clause should have been tens of millions; he must have been pretty sure he was leaving to agree a new contract which would do right by Villa in the first place.

I'd have rather he left on a free transfer tbh. We lost Vlaar the same summer on a free when we could've got 3-4m for him and in any case Benteke provided most of the summer transfer fund which we spectacularly wasted on likes of Gestede and Adama.

He should've just left rather than changing his mind five times in a week.

[tomd2103]

When I went to a Villa Legends night, Tony Morley was well on Delph's side, saying it had been him who wanted to be sure Villa earned a decent amount from his sale. I did wonder if this was known fact in Villa circles or if Morley was being an ex-pro and seeing it from Delph's viewpoint.

The argument falls down for me somewhat when you see the pitiful release clause, which surely had been driven down by the player's representatives and agreed to by a Villa in dire need of a crowd-pleasing announcement, and then all that "I'm staying" cobblers before he pissed off. If he had the club at heart that release clause should have been tens of millions; he must have been pretty sure he was leaving to agree a new contract which would do right by Villa in the first place.

I'd have rather he left on a free transfer tbh. We lost Vlaar the same summer on a free when we could've got 3-4m for him and in any case Benteke provided most of the summer transfer fund which we spectacularly wasted on likes of Gestede and Adama.

He should've just left rather than changing his mind five times in a week.

I wouldn't have.  Very old news now, but he did us a favour signing that contract as we got money for him.  Come that summer, he should have just kept his mouth shut and seen how the Manchester City situation played out.  If he had done that, I wouldn't have had any qualms with him moving.

[KevinGage]

The lesson, it would seem, is that any player torn on the issue of whether to remain or take up a better offer should just bail the first chance he gets. Don't give us a second thought.

Worth remembering, the next time one of our better players is in demand.

[tomd2103]

The lesson, it would seem, is that any player torn on the issue of whether to remain or take up a better offer should just bail the first chance he gets. Don't give us a second thought.

Worth remembering, the next time one of our better players is in demand.

That's how professional sport works unfortunately, as do most professions. 

[chrisw1]

He tried to do the right thing and ultimately fucked it up with the mind changing.

Personally I don't blame him for leaving, thank him for the £8m and would welcome him back in a heartbeat.  But I do understand why some people can't let it go.

[SoccerHQ]

When I went to a Villa Legends night, Tony Morley was well on Delph's side, saying it had been him who wanted to be sure Villa earned a decent amount from his sale. I did wonder if this was known fact in Villa circles or if Morley was being an ex-pro and seeing it from Delph's viewpoint.

The argument falls down for me somewhat when you see the pitiful release clause, which surely had been driven down by the player's representatives and agreed to by a Villa in dire need of a crowd-pleasing announcement, and then all that "I'm staying" cobblers before he pissed off. If he had the club at heart that release clause should have been tens of millions; he must have been pretty sure he was leaving to agree a new contract which would do right by Villa in the first place.

I'd have rather he left on a free transfer tbh. We lost Vlaar the same summer on a free when we could've got 3-4m for him and in any case Benteke provided most of the summer transfer fund which we spectacularly wasted on likes of Gestede and Adama.

He should've just left rather than changing his mind five times in a week.

I wouldn't have.  Very old news now, but he did us a favour signing that contract as we got money for him.  Come that summer, he should have just kept his mouth shut and seen how the Manchester City situation played out.  If he had done that, I wouldn't have had any qualms with him moving.

As I've said the 8m to me was neither here or there given the rubbish we signed.

His U turn also set the club morale back a lot and made Sherwood look a total mug (not that he didn't have trouble doing that himself) given he said initially what great news it was Delph was staying.

He goes, Sherwood looks weakened and we have an abysmal start to the season which pretty much relegated us by the end of September.

I'd have rather he'd have gone quickly after the season ended like Barry did so we had a proper chance to rebuild.

[peter w]

Old news now but we didn't go down because of delph. he was but just one thrust in what became one of biggest laughing stocks in English football. We had a big enough budget to do better with it than we did and going with gestede in place of Benteke was scrawling on the wall that Banksy would have been proud of.

[Dave]

As I've said the 8m to me was neither here or there given the rubbish we signed.

Very easy to say when it's not your money.

[kippaxvilla2]

After amazingly coming on as sub recently and scoring he gets reselected for the England squad (what a surprise) only to be injured again.  Such a shame.

[ASHTONVILLA]

I've said it before, but I have it on pretty good authority (Man City not Villa) that Delph went because Villa wanted him off the wage bill and asked him to take the offer.

I'd take him back if we get promoted. Would walk into our midfield.

[Ads]

Is never take Fabian Hodge Delph back. The ship has sailed with that ******. Fuck him and his career.

[saunders_heroes]

I've said it before, but I have it on pretty good authority (Man City not Villa) that Delph went because Villa wanted him off the wage bill and asked him to take the offer.

I'd take him back if we get promoted. Would walk into our midfield.

I’d take him back too. The club was a mess around that time and we’re suffering from its legacy but we’re on our way back. I’m sure there’s a lot more to the Delph transfer that meets the eye so I’m not gonna demonise him. If he become available and we’re back in the PL where we belong, then why not?