The 26 cap Welsh international had been ever-present in the Villa side previous to the injury, with Ulises de la Cruz covering the gap at right back during his absence.  Delaney was upset at David O'Leary's decision not to talk to him after his recovery from injury about why he was not playing.

"David O'Leary didn't have a chat with me when I was back fit and I'm disappointed about that.

"I want to be playing and I might be forced to look elsewhere.

"I'm 28 now and not getting any younger.

"I came into the game late so I want to play as much as I can, so if that is not possible at Aston Villa then I'll have to seriously think about a move somewhere else.

"I don't need to prove myself to anyone. I know what I can do and so does David O'Leary.

"I've been in the Premiership five years now and I think I've acquitted myself nicely. If David wants to think of other players to play there then you can't do anything about that, that's football.

"A first-team place is not guaranteed now but I am confident in my own ability, so if I don't get back in then I would have to seriously think about what action to take. I don't want to leave because I love it at Villa; the fans have been great and I love everyone there so I would be gutted if I had to leave."

Former Wales team-mate Chris Coleman at Fulham and Steve McClaren at Middlesbrough have both expressed their interest in the former Cardiff City player in the past and this outburst will be sure to have alerted them as to his availability.

Meanwhile David O'Leary has told another of the club's right backs he can leave.  21-year-old Rob Edwards, who earned his fourth cap as a substitute against Canada on Sunday, has spent the last three months of the season on loan at First Division Derby.

"I have had a chat with the gaffer and been told that they will let me go for a reasonable fee.

"I have had three months at Derby and, previous to that, a one-month loan at Crystal Palace. I felt I did OK at Derby and was able to help them avoid relegation. But it does not seem that I have a future at Villa."

Edwards still has a year left on his Villa contract, with Villa believed to want around £500,000 for the youngster.  This could prove to be a stumbling block over a move permanently to Derby after their financial problems recently.

"I believe there are another couple of clubs interested, one from the Premiership and a big club in the First Division. But I know no more than that," added Edwards.

"I am disappointed but really do not know what is going to happen, hopefully it can be sorted out quickly."