Villa reject Keown backs Delph decision

Fabian Delph should be praised for his "brave" decision to join Manchester City, according to ex-Villa player Martin Keown who played in the last Villa team to be relegated from the top flight.

"People change their mind don't they? It is what happens - he wouldn't be the first person to turn down an opportunity, regretted it and then worked hard to change it and he has been brave enough to do that", said Keown, who was flogged to Everton in 1989 as Graham Taylor cleared out the dead wood. Villa went on to make a strong challenge for the league title once Keown was jettisoned.

"When Delph elected to stay at Villa a lot of people were surprised. He looked as if his contract was running out, but he put pen-to-paper on a new deal, and, from a Villa point of view, thank God he did otherwise he would have left on a free transfer.

"So, let us not be too hard on Delph. I suffered backlash from the Villa fans when I left there and he has agonised over that decision and it was a tough call - he already made the call once and had to change his mind.

"It is a good signing for City - they want to buy British - he made his England debut last season and settled in well, he is a driving force from midfield, but it is a huge blow for Aston Villa."