Fabian Delph staying at Aston Villa after dismissing Manchester City interest

Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph insists he has no intention of leaving the club following reports suggesting he was poised to join Manchester City.

On Friday it was widely reported that Delph, 25, was in talks with Manuel Pellegrini's side over an £8m move to the Etihad Stadium.

But in a statement released on Villa's official website on Saturday 11 July, the England international has 'set the record straight' over his future and quashed rumours of an imminent move.

"I'm aware there has been intense media speculation surrounding my future in the last 24 hours and I want to set the record straight," Delph said.

"I'm not leaving. I'm staying at the football club and I can't wait for the start of the season and captaining this great football club."

Delph joined Villa in 2009 from Leeds United and has steadily grown into an integral member of the first team, playing a leading role in the club's fight against relegation last season.

He has scored eight goals in more than 100 appearances for the West Midlands club, earning six England caps in the process.

City, meanwhile, face pressure to add more home-grown players to their squad ahead of the 2015-16 season having seen Frank Lampard, James Milner, Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair all leave the club this summer.

While rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have already made signings, City's only business so far has been the acquisition of 18-year-old Turkish youngster Enes Unal.