When Villa languished towards the bottom of the league table in January, spirits were raised when the club announced the news of Delph's new contract. Beamed around Villa Park ahead of an FA Cup clash with Bournemouth, a video of Delph revealing the new deal was greeted with applause. It was a lift that the club desperately needed, and the midfielder's words at the time were exactly what the fans wanted to hear. Speaking after his new contract was signed, he said:
"I am a loyal person and committing my future will hopefully show everybody what type of guy I am. "I feel like this is me - I love the club, I love being here and I want to put 100% into everything I do here. This is my club and I want to be here. That's why I am committing my future. "Hopefully it will give everyone a bit of a lift and show the fans that we are looking to do big things here and bring excitement back to the club. "We want to get through this season, do well and I feel the up-and-coming years will be big. "There was no way I was going to bail out. I am here for the long run."
Nowadays in football new contracts mean very little, but his words did seem sincere. After all, the club have shown Delph a lot of faith in recent years and could be forgiven by expecting such commitment from the England international. If he did decide to make the switch to Man City, his relationship with Villa fans would have ended on a particularly sour note. Looking over these factors, it's easy to see why Delph changed his mind. He's still in his prime with many years ahead of him, and with game time a big ask under Pellegrini it is unfair to criticise Delph, as some have unfortunately done. His decision to stay is a victory for Villa and could be massive for their upcoming season. Delph has ensured he will be loved by Villa fans, and if he carries on where he left off last season, he will undoubtedly enjoy an excellent 2015/16 campaign.
