Speculation had been rife about the 25-year-old’s future with his contract set to expire in the summer but Delph put all of that to bed this weekend and his boss believes Villa have secured the services of a player destined for big things.
Aston Villa 2-1 AFC Bournemouth
The FA Cup
Fourth Round Proper
3pm, Sunday 25 January 2015
Villa Park, Aston Villa
Winners receive £90,000
"He is an England international and if you are going to lose somebody like that it is going to cost you an awful lot of money to replace him," said Lambert.
"We aren’t in a position to go and do things like that at the moment so I think it is great for the football club that he is staying.
"I think he will go from strength-to-strength.
"I think he is a captain in the making, he has got that personality.
"He has a driving force and a hunger to succeed and he’s definitely one that could do it.
"I think he would thrive on the responsibility."
Delph made his England bow in 2014, appearing three times for the Three Lions before injury kept him out of the final two games of the year.
And Lambert believes that a prolonged stay at Villa Park will aid the Bradford-born midfielder’s international progression as well.
Highlights of Sunday's FA Cup tie at Villa Park
"I think he is playing really well and the England thing is a major thing for him," he said.
"He has broken into it and he has played very well in the games that he has played in, he was unlucky with a shoulder injury but hopefully he will get back in."
Much had been written about Delph’s future during the course of the contract negotiations which culminated in Sunday’s announcement.
Lambert says the way the former Leeds man has dealt with the speculation reflects positively on his character.
"To be fair to Fabian, his performances have never wilted and he has always been at a very high level of football," he said.
"He’s a mature guy for 24 years of age, he has played a lot of football since he was a young kid and that bit of loyalty I think speaks volumes for him as a person."
