Aston Villa are battling to keep hold of Fabian Delph. The Sunday Mirror says Villa are preparing to fight off a £7.5million bid from Liverpool to make Delph the successor to Steven Gerrard.

Boss Brendan Rodgers had accepted that Villa's determination not to sell their midfield driving force in January would mean he'd have to wait until the summer.

But Villa chiefs believe Gerrard's decision to move to America has changed the picture and a bid could now come in the next two weeks.

And with Inter Milan stepping up their efforts to sign Lucas from Anfield in this window, it gives them extra impetus to grab Delph now.

Signing Delph this month would make him available for Liverpool's Europa League tie against Besiktas.