Fabian Delph signs new four-and-a-half year Aston Villa contract

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has disappointed Liverpool and Tottenham by signing a new four-and-a-half year deal keeping him at Villa Park until the summer of 2019.

The English midfielder, who made his Three Lions debut in September last year, was on the final six months of his contract and it was widely expected that he would leave to play for one of the big teams in the Premier League, with Anfield and White Hart Lane touted as potential destinations.

However, the player has shocked everyone and committed his long-term future to the club. Paul Lambert was delighted with his midfielder and he admitted that it was a big surprise, as everyone thought he was going to leave the club following the expiry of his contract in June.

"When you get someone like Fabian - who might have had the possibility of going elsewhere to pastures new - to have him commit is a massive, massive coup for us," Lambert said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

"No-one expected it. I think everyone thought Fabian was going to go and we would have to get someone else in. I don't think anyone saw this coming."

"But it's been something we've been trying to do, as I have always said. It's great for Aston Villa. It's great for Fabian. I think this is a massive, massive step," the delighted Villa manager added.

Delph, who was one of Liverpool's prime targets to replace outgoing skipper Steven Gerrard, has revealed his love for Villa and it's fans.

The 25-year-old midfielder insists that he always wanted to stay at the club, which he regards as his family and has confidently stated that he is in it for the long run.

"The club has given me a great platform to perform and a great opportunity to showcase what I can do," Delph said.

"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."

"The fans have been great with me, the chairman has been absolutely fantastic with me and I have a great relationship with the manager and I see the boys here as my brothers, my family and I am delighted to stay here," the Three Lions midfielder explained.

"There was no way I was going to bail out. I am here for the long run."