Lambert’s next prodigy: How Villa have developed this industrious midfielder
With such a tricky start to the season, many expected Aston Villa to be mired in the relegation battle but Paul Lambert’s men find themselves in the comfort of mid-table obscurity, largely thanks to the efforts of rising starFabian Delph.
The 23-year-old has played a key part in major victories over Arsenal and Manchester City, combining guile and industry to drive Villa’s midfield forward.
His rise to prominence this season has been somewhat of as surprise to neutrals, given that many dismissed the former Leeds United youth product as merely another flash in the pan.
Hailed as the next great English star, Delph was seemingly destined for great things in 2007 when he made his debut aged 17 against Derby County in the Championship.
The midfielder broke into the team in the 2008/09 season with a series of impressive performance that caught the eye of many Premier League clubs at the time.
In the summer of 2009, with Leeds failing to gain promotion from League One, Delph sealed a move to Villa and would struggle to force his way into the first-team due to injuries and poor performances when called upon.
However, after finally breaking into Lambert’s plans last season, the Bradford-born midfielder has started the current campaign with aplomb.
Playing alongside Ashley Westwood and Karim El-Ahmadi, Delph has been given the opportunity to make the position his own and demonstrate his considerable talents.
And so far, he has responded with a superb performance score of 218 – the second best Villa player, with only Ron Vlaar having a superior score.
Top Aston Villa Performance Scorers
This is largely a result of Delph’s superb defensive work as a box-to-box midfielder, with a resounding 70% success in duels so far this campaign.
The Villa star likes a tackle, which is apparent by his excellent tackle success average of 73%, but he can also dribble, with a 74% take-on success in the same period.
But Delph isn’t all about the defensive work, as he’s quite useful going forward too.
An 82% pass completion rate shows he can retain the ball well, and he has an eye for a key pass as well, making seven of them in nine games so far.
His shooting could be better, with just four shots in ten games with a 25% accuracy, a poor return for a midfielder these days as many are asked to carry a goal threat.
Delph is starting to fulfil his potential for Villa, and even at 23-years-old, has plenty of time to make his mark on the Premier League as he once threatened to do at Leeds.
And he has his manager to thank for affording him the time and space to grow in the past year, with Villa now reaping the benefits.