Delph signs new deal

[silhillvilla]

Sanchez overall has been ok.

The one at arsenal has .
Ours hasn't, he's been below standard. He may improve but it needs to be a step change.

[Clampy]

Sanchez overall has been ok.

The one at arsenal has .
Ours hasn't, he's been below standard. He may improve but it needs to be a step change.

I disagree, he's been ok. Not brilliant but he's settling into a new league and country. Let's see how he gets on next season before we label him below standard.

[Gregorys Boy]

Love how some people will make him a scapegoat for anything lol.

People thinking that he might not fit into the way that Sherwood wants us to play isn't making him a scapegoat.

Lol indeed.

But pretty much every team has a defenisve midfielder and as long as they do their job well it doesn't take away from the team attacking sucessfully if anything it improves that side of the game because those attacking players don't have to worry so much about tracking back.

Besides it has been mentioned that until Delph scored recently that none of our midfielders had scored this season, and people mention that Shancez has not scored, but you don't expect him score because he is a holding midfielder.  Its not everyone's job to score goals, if they do then more the better, but I am more concerned about Shanchez's passing and tackling than his goal threat.  He has been much better this season than Delph imo.

[PaulWinch again]

Sanchez has played well at times and I think there's a good player in there.

[supertom]

Sanchez has played well at times and I think there's a good player in there.

He started shakily. Was then our best player for a couple of months. He's been poor since the end of Jan really. I don't think he's being helped in a two man midfield to be fair to him. He needs a couple of more mobile players ahead of him. If he just sits and gets a bit of time on the ball, he's good. If he's having to be a bit more dynamic and close players in a high tempo, he never gets near the opposition and in tight spots he looks nervous.

I like Sanchez as a player but I'm not entirely sure he'll ever fit in with the way Sherwood is currently playing. If that happens to be our long term style he'll soon become obsolete.

[PeterWithesShin]

Fabian Delph was absolutely thrilled to make it through to the FA Cup final in May, admitting: "To lead the team out will be the highlight of my career."

Skipper Delph played a starring role against Liverpool, hitting the winner following Christian Benteke's leveller.

But it more than that - he drove the team on with a performance of power, precision and panache.

The central ace was overjoyed to beat the Reds to set up a clash with Arsenal on May 30.

He was thrilled for his fellow players and the magnificent claret and blue army who cheered the team on throughout the 90 minutes.

He said: "It was a great performance.

"It's been a tricky season but we've really got going now.

"We were confident going into the game. We felt we could win.

"I can't wait for the final. To walk out as captain will be the highlight of my career.

"It's such happy days. I am absolutely delighted for the boys - and, of course, the fans."

Delph also hailed the restorative power of boss Tim Sherwood.

Sherwood came in with Villa low on confidence and low on points.

He's turned things around in the Barclays Premier League, with Villa hoping to ease to safety soon.

And he's given the team added belief in the cup, shown most evidently in the display against Liverpool.

He added: "The gaffer is brilliant. He is positive with everyone. He doesn't panic. We had a game plan and stuck to it.

"We have a lot of young lads in the team - and I thought Jack Grealish was fantastic.

"We are thrilled for the fans and the club. It's huge.

"Now it's on to the Premier League. We are confident we will get through it. The next game we think of now is Man City on Saturday."

[Gerrin]

Has there been anything mentioned about how he's kept the captaincy since Vlaar came back, Vlaar was captain against Stoke. I agree Delph should be captain if Vlaar is basically leaving but haven't seen anything said.

[berober04]

There was a little bit I recall during the international break, but mostly it attributed to Delph 'learning' from Rooney how to be a captain or something like that...

[peter w]

It could be that Gerrin but also he was probably told he would be Villa captain before signing the new deal.

[not3bad]

Well, if there is one positive thing that can be said about Paul Lambert's time as manager, it is that under his stewardship Delph began to fulfill his potential.

[Gerrin]

Well, if there is one positive thing that can be said about Paul Lambert's time as manager, it is that under his stewardship Delph began to fulfill his potential.

I was over the moon when we signed him as I'd heard loads about him at Leeds, then it just never seemed to happen, what with injuries etc. I remember a game away at Man City one season and he was played at left back and he was absolute garbage. He's certainly the real deal now though.

[peter w]

There were many people on here who wanted us to get rid of him as he didn't look like he was anything other than a player who could run around and do the odd good thing but then would get booked for stupid lunges. To be one of our most important players and captains is testimony to his attitude and those working with him.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Sanchez has played well at times and I think there's a good player in there.

He started shakily. Was then our best player for a couple of months. He's been poor since the end of Jan really. I don't think he's being helped in a two man midfield to be fair to him. He needs a couple of more mobile players ahead of him. If he just sits and gets a bit of time on the ball, he's good. If he's having to be a bit more dynamic and close players in a high tempo, he never gets near the opposition and in tight spots he looks nervous.

I like Sanchez as a player but I'm not entirely sure he'll ever fit in with the way Sherwood is currently playing. If that happens to be our long term style he'll soon become obsolete.

Sanchez played pretty well at Spurs. A couple of games he has looked top class, if he can just cut out the stupid passes, he will be a good foil in the midfield to give Delph/Cleverly or whoever freedom to push forward more.

When he plays well he looks good, but when he is bad he tends to be very bad. I have high hopes for him

[thick_mike]

It takes two to make a pass. The movement off the ball was excellent on Sunday, but so many times Sanchez has been badly served by players around him not showing for a pass. It doesn't explain all of his lapses, but he has never hidden from the ball.

Maybe the team should learn the Spanish for "man on" :-)

[john e]

It takes two to make a pass. The movement off the ball was excellent on Sunday, but so many times Sanchez has been badly served by players around him not showing for a pass. It doesn't explain all of his lapses, but he has never hidden from the ball.

Maybe the team should learn the Spanish for "man on" :-)

Spot on exactly what I think