That would mean the Welsh international would be entitled to leave on a free transfer in the summer but O’Leary wants the 29-year-old to stay at Villa whom he joined from Cardiff seven years ago.

O’Leary told PA Sport: “The contract has an option in the club’s favour. Delaney’s representatives agreed to this option when the current contract was sorted out.

“The club has stated all along they will make that decision on the day they have to do it (March 1).

“Nothing has been said but I want the boy to stay, without a doubt. Any time he has played in general he has done very well for me.

“I’ve given my recommendation – and I’m sure the club will make the right recommendation as well.

“I’ve given the recommendation to the club that I want him to stay. I am hoping the response will be a positive one. The part I find unusual is this 12-month option which is only in the club’s favour that his representatives agreed to putting in.”

Delaney is expected to find out in the next 24 hours the extend of the knee injury which forced him to be substituted at half-time during Sunday’s FA Cup encounter with Manchester City at Villa Park.

He went for a scan on Monday to assess the damage but was reasonably optimistic that he would be back in action sooner rather than later.

Delaney, who is predominantly a right-back, has filled in at centre-half for the past three months and earned constant praise from O’Leary for his level of performance.