Fabian Delph delighted Aston Villa by committing his future… now the star hopes to lead them out to FA Cup final glory

Aston Villa face Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 30 at Wembley
Fabian Delph joined Villa for £8million from Leeds six years ago
Midfielder signed a new contract with the club until 2019 in January

Published:
21:32 GMT, 23 May 2015

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Updated:
00:41 GMT, 24 May 2015

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Fabian Delph will lead Aston Villa into the FA Cup final against Arsenal on Saturday: a symbol of triumph over adversity and a shining example of how loyalty is rewarded.

In the six years since Villa paid £8million to sign him from Leeds, Delph has spent several lengthy spells sidelined with injury, most seriously when he ruptured a cruciate ligament in April 2010, and senior Villa officials worried that their investment might have been wasted.

But Delph battled back to become an England regular and rewarded Villa’s loyalty in January by committing his future to the club until 2019 at a time when they were sliding into the relegation zone and a move to Liverpool or Tottenham seemed to beckon.

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has proved their driving force as they look for FA Cup glory on May 30

Delph (left) showed his loyalty to Villa in January when he signed a new contract with the club until 2019

The midfielder’s (centre) performances at Villa Park have seen him become a starter for England this season

He could have sat tight and seen what the summer held as a free agent. That he committed his future at a time when Villa were in dire straits is a sign of his character.

Villa owner Randy Lerner took a keen interest in him during his spells on the sidelines and the American’s continued presence at the club played a major part. Delph did not feel comfortable leaving for nothing, given the time and money invested in him during some very dark days.

Now he is the club captain who was mobbed as thousands of Villa fans spilled on to the pitch in joy following his goal in the 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup quarter-finals. He lost his armband and felt teeth in his neck from over-exuberant supporters bestowing kisses.

In the semi-final against Liverpool at Wembley, he was man of the match, setting up Christian Benteke’s equaliser with a forceful run and measured pass, scoring the winner with composure.

He is described as an absolute joy by those who know him: warm, caring and considerate. His first act as a Villa player was to buy his mum Donna a house. She had taken her son from Bradford to Leeds for training via two buses each way for years. He dotes on his two sisters.

It was in April 2010 that Delph ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a training session. Speaking to Sportsmail last year, Delph recalled: ‘I ‘Cruyffed’ Emile Heskey, he chased me back and landed on my leg. My knee sank into the ground to the point of no return. My surgeon said it would take me 18 months before I felt anything like I used to feel. You can start to doubt yourself.’

Delph (left) has come a long way since ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2010

Then in 2012 Delph injured an ankle badly while on loan at Leeds, once again requiring the healing hands and motivation of Villa physio- therapist Alan Smith. Lerner was in regular contact.

The 2012-13 campaign saw Delph begin to find form under the tutelage of manager Paul Lambert – and in the opening game of 2013-14 he showed his ability, dominating the Arsenal midfield at the Emirates Stadium as Villa won 3-1.

He was named Villa player of the year and then took only a week off last summer to work on his fitness with personal trainer Jamie Reynolds, founder of Velocity gym.

Situated in an industrial estate in north Birmingham near the M6, the stripped-back unit with metal shutters on the outside is becoming a destination for many athletes.

Boxer Anthony Joshua is a client, as are Gabby Agbonlahor, Darren Bent and, recently, Jack Grealish. Using innovative training methods, Reynolds takes great care in creating detailed regimes to improve core strength, flexibility, and endurance. ‘Better never quits,’ is one of the motivational methods written large on the breeze-block walls.

Last summer Delph worked on his fitness with the same personal trainer that Gabby Agbonlahor (right) uses

Since Tim Sherwood’s (centre) appointment as Villa manager, Delph has played the best football of his career

Delph is put through his paces with personal trainer Jamie Reynolds, founder of Velocity gym

Delph was there last week, going through drills including running exercises attached to a resistant rubber band, pulling weights along the ground, and flexing his limbs with Reynolds watching on.

Much of the focus is on recreating movements players need on the pitch. ‘I guarantee you’ll be pushed beyond your limits with every session,’ Reynolds tells his clients.

The hard yards have paid off and Delph received his first England call-up last September. New boss Tim Sherwood has since arrived at Villa and asked for his energy to be used further up the pitch, and for Delph to use his creativity. It is working, and Delph, 25, is playing the best football of his career.

He was made captain in place of Ron Vlaar, and is one of the players Sherwood turns to for advice.

Delph (centre) scored the matchwinning goal as Villa beat Liverpool 2-1 in their FA Cup semi-final last month

The Aston Villa captain (second left) wheels away in celebration with his team-mates after his goal at Wembley

‘He leads by example, he drives the team forward,’ said Sherwood. ‘I think he can add goals to his game, that’s something we’ll be working on next season.

‘Whenever I’ve had conversations with Roy Hodgson, I think he’s probably one of the top three on his England team sheet.’

Receiving the FA Cup from Villa fan HRH The Duke of Cambridge would be a fitting finale to Delph’s season. And prove the benefits of loyalty.