Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood believes that teammate Fabian Delph is proving himself as the club's long-term captain.

The England international has taken the armband for the past six games due to Ron Vlaar's absence, leading Tim Sherwood's men to victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final with some influential performances.

It is expected that Delph will skipper the side on a permanent basis in the future, and Westwood believes that the 25-year-old would be the perfect choice.

"He loves a moan but that's Fabian! He's a great lad and I get on with him really well," Westwood told Villa's official website.

"He's been a great help since the day I stepped into this football club and if he keeps playing like he is then we've got some player on our hands.

"He's very vocal around the place and even more now he's captain. On the pitch, he leads by example with his energy – that's the main thing. He's always there, always wants the ball and if I don't give it to him he'll turn around and have a moan at me!"

Villa travel to Manchester City on Saturday.