FABIAN DELPH tonight joined Aston Villa after agreeing terms and passing a medical.

Leeds snubbed eleventh-hour bids for the midfield starlet from Manchester City and Tottenham because Villa 'behaved properly'.

City and Spurs tried to nip in after hearing O'Neill had made the first move.

But Leeds chief Ken Bates refused to turn the transfer into a bidding war.

And Villa claimed victory this evening with a club statement saying: "Aston Villa can confirm the signing of Fabian Delph from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee."

Bates had a pointed dig at Villa's rivals through Leeds' own website last night.

A statement said: "Leeds United wishes to place on record our appreciation for the honourable manner in which Aston Villa have conducted their interest in the player.

"The club has resisted approaches from other Premier League clubs since agreeing terms with Aston Villa.

"Having given Villa our commitment to transfer the player, we had no intention of going back on that."

Delph, 19, met O'Neill today before signing what is thought to be a four-year deal.

The initial fee, set to be L6m, will rise to L8m depending on performance.

His arrival follows Villa's L12m purchase of Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough.

O'Neill announced last week that he wanted at least five new signings before the big kick-off.