Source: Team_Talk
Delph must keep learning - O'Neill
The 18-year-old moved to Villa Park from Leeds in a £6million move last summer, but has failed to set the Premier League alight after the jump from League One.[LNB]O'Neill admits the youngster's rashness when tackling is a particular problem even in training, but he has faith Delph will eventually make the grade.[LNB]O'Neill told The People: "Occasionally he has to be reminded that I need the players here. I don't need him putting four boys in the treatment room to prove that he can tackle - he has to save that for match day.[LNB]"On the pitch he leaves the foot in and he's competitive. He's not shy of putting a challenge in, for someone so slight.[LNB]"So from that score, I wouldn't have a problem with him. It's one thing to keep that attitude, and another to curb it because you are liable to get booked once or twice.[LNB]"More importantly, as of this minute, he hasn't actually really learned the art of tackling properly so he leaves his body open to being injured.[LNB]"I don't want to knock any aggression out of him because that is part of his make-up. The other one is not to be going in in a manner that is almost dangerous to yourself.[LNB]"I'm talking about the technique challenging, he'll go in regardless of safety for himself, where the more experienced players will go in and make sure that they are well enough protected."[LNB]Delph's confidence at Villa took a knock almost immediately on his Premier League debut against Wigan on the opening day of the season in a 2-0 defeat. [LNB]The midfielder has been restricted to just two league starts since, one of which came in their midweek 1-1 draw against Manchester United, and O'Neill admits lack of action has been tough on the teenager.[LNB]"I've got faith in him, I know that he can play and he'll be a proper player in the next 18 months," said O'Neill, who remains confident in the money he spent.[LNB]"His biggest problem is that he's gone from playing 60 or 70 consecutive games for Leeds to playing intermittently here.[LNB]"He's learned to cope with that and I'm hoping between now and the end of the season that he'll get his fair share of outings, because we will need him."[LNB]O'Neill added: "Then I think you'll see a bit more quality from him, particularly next year."[LNB][LNB] Crystal Palace v Aston Villa To Score in 90mins: Delph, F. 11/2
