No cause for concern as Delph misses Portugal trip

Fabian Delph, Aston Villa's player of the year for 2014/15 was missing from Tim Sherwood's squad as they boarded their flight to sunny Portugal Thursday morning.

With Manchester City rumors swirling wild the past few weeks, Villa fans were understandably anxious after hearing that Delph was absent Thursday morning.

There is however, no apparent cause for concern, as Delph is reportedly staying home in anticipation of the birth of his second child, due in the coming days.

Obviously, a family situation like this is of much more importance than a preseason training trip, and should make Villa fans breathe a sigh of relief in regards to the prospects of losing their high-motor captain.

Delph excelled in most aspects of his game last year, showing incredible creativity along with defensive reliability. He is one of Villa's most technically sound and mature players, having recently become a regular in Roy Hodgson's England team.

While Manchester City have been knocking this summer in attempts to exploit a low release clause inserted into Delph's contract upon his re-signing in a perilous time of the season this January, recent reports about Micah Richards' warnings to Delph about first team football at Manchester City coupled with Delph's appearances at Bodymoor Heath this week should be encouraging signs for Villa fans.