New Aston Villa defender Micah Richards has revealed that club captain Fabian Delph has asked for his advice over a potential move to Manchester City.
Richards spent 10 years with City before his summer switch to Villa Park, but found first-team opportunities limited throughout his time at the Etihad Stadium and spent the whole of last season on loan at Fiorentina.
Delph has been linked with an £8m move to last season's runners-up, but Richards believes that he should only consider it if he is guaranteed regular first-team football.
"It's tough isn't it? If he's got guarantees to play... He's been unbelievable for Aston Villa. Every player wants to play at the highest level. If he's going to be playing Champions League... I don't know, but if he's going there to be a squad player, then no," Richards told reporters.
"James Milner has played six or seven positions and still wanted to leave. So if he gets assurances he's going to play then the decision is his. I wouldn't say don't go to Manchester City, because if he's playing well he could play. If you're good enough you'll play. It's just being given that chance.
"If [City manager Manuel Pellegrini] is going to give him the chance to play then it's hard to turn down the chance of playing Champions League football. To be fair he has asked me what I think about the situation. I told him I can't comment to be honest. I don't want to say go there and then [Pellegrini] doesn't play him - he'll be ringing me up afterwards!"
Aston Villa face a trip to Premier League newcomers Bournemouth in their first match of the 2015-16 season on August 8.
Barney Corkhill
