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Fabian Delph admitted that his Aston Villa team-mates were shocked when he announced the news that he would be staying at the club.

Villa’s star performer penned a new four-and-a-half year deal which took many be surprise as he was expected to move to one of the Premier League big-boys.

Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal were all interested in the England ace but Villa received no bids and Delph insisted he was keen to stay.

When asked how his contract extension went down with his pals at the club, Delph said: “As soon as I told some of them they looked at me shocked to start with!

Can you spot yourself in the Villa Park crowd against Bournemouth

“But the lads are absolutely delighted.

“They see how dedicated I am and how I want to push on and they’ve let me know that they’re delighted that I’m staying.

“I don’t just see them as team-mates. They are like my family, like brothers to me.

“I’d run through a brick wall for them.”

Chief executive Tom Fox played a big role in keeping Delph at the club but played down his involvement.

“Fabian and I have had many conversations and he believes in this journey that we’re on now," said Fox.

“There were a lot of interested club because Fabian is a top young player.

“But it says a lot about him and his faith in this club that he’s stayed.

“It was all down to him.”

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