Delph hoping to stay injury-free

Delph made the £6 million move from Leeds to Villa Park during the summer of 2009 and was viewed as an exciting talent by the then manager Martin O'Neill. But the midfielder has suffered a series of injury setbacks, including ankle ligament damage on the final day of last season against Liverpool.

Delph said: "I think I'm due an injury-free season and hopefully this season coming up will be the one."

He added: "It has been up and down for me since I joined Villa but I've stayed positive and think I've got stronger mentally.

"Hopefully I can break through under the new manager and do him proud.

"I've met him and he seemed really hungry for the season to start and for the lads to push on and do well.

"I also want to repay the chairman (Randy Lerner) for the contract he has given me."

Delph signed a new four-year deal in March which will keep him at Villa until 2015.

Source: PA

Source: PA