The club have a 12-month option on the 29-year-old Welsh defender's contract but will have to meet a 1 March deadline to extend his stay. "The club have stated all along they will make that decision on the day they have to do it," said O'Leary. "I want the boy to stay, without a doubt. I've given my recommendation to the club that I want him to stay. I hope the response will be a positive one."
If Villa do not take up their option on Delaney he would be entitled to leave on a free transfer in the summer. The right-back, now in his seventh year at the club, is expected to find out the extent of the knee injury sustained during Sunday's FA Cup encounter with