New Contracts?

[Malandro]

Whatever happens, It would be special to see 'one of ours' at the top of the game.

As long as they're still playing for us. They're no longer one of ours when they move on.

disagree with that, but there you go.

[Jon Crofts]

Aston Villa have made a formal new contract offer to Fabian Delph as they try to keep the England midfielder.

Delph, 24, is in the final year of his deal at Villa Park after joining from Leeds in August 2009.

Following a slow start to his time in the Midlands, he is now in demand after his superb form in the last two seasons earned full England recognition.

Villa’s player of the year last term is on good Premier League money in his existing deal from when American owner Randy Lerner was splashing the cash.

But Villa have offered him a new four-year terms after boss Paul Lambert visited Lerner in the USA.

Delph is now considering his options as he knows he would be much sought after on a Bosman transfer next summer.

If he refuses to sign the deal, Villa will face a dilemma in January over whether to cash in on their star.

One player is definitely staying at Villa, for the time being at least. Fellow midfielder Jack Grealish, 19, will sign a new four-year contract with Villa this week.

I really hope Delph has been offered terms which reflect his status and also that he remembers that the club did give him a contract when he was struggling with injuries.

You're of course assuming footballers have any loyalty whatsoever and can think for themselves and not via their agents.  It's a lovely thought.

[Phil from the upper holte]

If he didn't sign I would be disappointed, Would I be surprised? Not at all.

[Ads]

Looks like Grealish will sign either later today or tomorrow.

[supertom]

I hope Delph thinks sensibly about this. Obviously if he moves on a free this summer it may open up doors to clubs who might not have wanted to pay a fee for a player like him, but would gamble on a freebie. I don't think a top 4 club would ever come in for him and say here's 10 million. However, much like Sidwell, if he's on a freebie, I could see one of the big boys going in for him just to have him on board. He can offer something to them or alternatively be sold on in a year or two, back down to a club of our level again for a tidy profit.

Delph needs to play week in and week out though. He could probably do marginally better than us in that respect. I think he'd get into Evertons side for example, or perhaps Spurs or Southampton (who appear a level over us right now). He'd be very much in the Rodwell, Sinclair department at a top 4 side though.

I want him to sign. He's one of our best players. But he's at the right level for him, which is a stand out player for a mid-table club. Obviously certain things let him down in his game, like his passing, touch and decision making. That will hold him back from moving onto a top club and excelling, if they come in for him at all. I want him to stay with us and be a fulcrum of our side for the next few years. Rather than disappear for financial reasons.

Plus I hope he gambles on us taking an upturn should a takeover happen in the next year or two (please McGrath make it so).

[Jon Crofts]

Grealish has signed a 4 year deal this afternoon apparently.

[Ads]

[Chico Hamilton III]

Grealish has signed a 4 year deal this afternoon apparently.

"A dream come true to commit my future to my boyhood club"

Like it

[Chico Hamilton III]

He's holding that pen a bit wonky

[The Left Side]

Just signed, great news Villa & Jack

[Ads]

Lets hope he doesn't get a case of the Hendrie's now.

[Tuscans]

Lets hope he doesn't get a case of the Hendrie's now.

Like

[PeterWithesShin]

Lets hope he doesn't get a case of the Hendrie's now.

Yeah i'll be gutted if he makes over 300 first team appearances. *winky*

[andrew08]

It must be me, I'm glad he signed I think, but I'm yet to see what everyone else must be seeing. It's all a bit Gary Gardner at the moment. As it stands we've just made another young man a millionaire.

Oh well good luck to him and let's hope we get a golden season or so from him. And golden to me means not just 10th, but if we must have 10th, then let it be with an FA Cup please.

[tom jennings III]

Good news. Agree with the general sentiment on here that it's silly money given what he's achieved but it's the way of the world at the moment and I'd prefer for us to sign up our youth prospects than have them walk away for very little. I do have faith in the Villa academy and really hope he turns into the next Sid but more than that I hope we treat him right (not just the money) and ease him into the team slowly and try to keep him away from the many pitfalls that throw a young and impressionable young player off track.