Aston Villa's Micah Richards denies influencing Fabian Delph's decision to stay

Micah Richards has rejected reports that he influenced Fabian Delph's decision to snub a move to Manchester City and remain at Aston Villa.

The England international was heavily linked to the former Premier League champions, but he issued a statement at the weekend confirming his intention to stay at Villa Park.

Following Delph's comments, reports emerged suggesting that Richards and Scott Sinclair talked him out of moving to the Etihad Stadium due to their failures to keep a place in the City first team.

However, Richards has hit back by tweeting: "If people actually think I had a influence on Delph not going to city your wrong! And I have nothing but great things to say about city!"

Delph has four years left on his contract at Villa.