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Paul Lambert has praised Fabian Delph's loyalty after the England midfielder signed a new contract at Aston Villa .

A host of Premier League rivals were tracking Delph, but Lambert, owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Tom Fox convinced him to stay at Villa.

The former Leeds favourite has put pen to paper on a new four-and-a-half year deal, ending doubts about his future.

“I’m delighted he’s staying,” said Lambert.

“It’s brilliant for the football club because it would take millions of pounds to replace him.

Check out photos from Villa's FA Cup win over Bournemouth

“I don’t think there’s too much loyalty in football anymore but Fabian has shown there is still some.

“Before my time here he had an injury and the club were very good with him.

“It speaks volumes for the way he is as a person that he’s staying here.

“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.

“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.

“He enjoys his football and being at the club.”

Delph, who missed the win over Bournemouth with an Achilles injury picked up in training, recorded a personal message to Villa fans that was screened before kick-off.

He said: “The club has given me a great platform to perform and a great opportunity to showcase what I can do.

“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.

“I am a loyal person and committing my future will hopefully show everybody what type of guy I am.

“I feel like this is me - I love the club, I love being here and I want to put 100 per-cent into everything I do here. This is my club and I want to be here. That’s why I am committing my future.

“Hopefully it will give everyone a bit of a lift and show the fans that we are looking to do big things here and bring excitement back to the club.

“We want to get through this season, do well and I feel the up-and-coming years will be big.

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

“The fans have been the same. I am sure they will stick with us, help us get through this season and then looking into the future, it looks promising to me.”

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