Transfer news: Andreas Weimann urges Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph to stay at Aston Villa

Andreas Weimann has urged Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph to stay at Aston Villa.

Skipper Vlaar and England international Delph will be out of contract at the end of the season and have so far not signed new deals at Villa Park.

But Villa have insisted they will not be sold in January and Weimann hopes they will stay long term.

He said: "Ron is our captain so everyone knows he's important so hopefully he'll stay. He's in the middle of our team and we hope he'll stay.

"He knows we all want him to stay and I'm sure the gaffer and everyone else will try and get him to stay."

When asked if Villa's new style could also help convince midfielder Delph to stay, Weimann added: "Everyone is enjoying the way we're playing at the moment. We can keep going and keep improving.

"I think at the start of the season we didn't have as much of the ball and we were defending for most of the games but in the last five games we've had more possession than the other teams and I think everyone's enjoying playing out from the back and we're all comfortable doing it."

Villa host Crystal Palace on New Year's Day 13th in the Premier League having lost just twice in their last nine games.

They have also only won twice during that spell - including a 1-0 win at Palace - and Weimann is wary of the Eagles.

He said: "I'm sure they'll be up for the game especially as we beat them at their place and they'll probably want to get one back on us.

"I'm sure we'll be ready and thirsty to get the three points."