Delaney demands Villa transfer after being left in limbo

The Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney has handed in a written transfer request after becoming frustrated at the club's indecision over offering him a new contract.

The Welsh international, who has been with Villa for seven years, has only six months to run of his current deal although Villa could invoke a 12-month option, which is in their favour. But that is unacceptable to 29-year-old Delaney.

Delaney has been a key player for Villa but for the past two years has been dogged by injuries. On Wednesday, Delaney said: "I have been here for seven years and I would have liked it to have carried on, but I just can't see it. We tried initially last year about a new contract and we have tried again recently but we have not had any response. I just wish someone would tell me that I am not required and I can start thinking about something else.

"It is quite sad because the club have been good to me. I don't want it to get bitter and for me to leave on bad terms."

Just hours earlier his manager, David O'Leary, seemed to have given him some encouragement saying: "When he has been fit, he has played well for us and done an excellent job. What he needs now is a good run of games and then he will be in a stronger position regarding his future. If he can play until the end of the season then he will have shown everyone what he can do."