Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has admitted that he is powerless to stop Fabian Delph leaving the club on a free transfer if he wishes to.

The England midfielder's contract at Villa Park expires at the end of this season, and already Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are believed to be lining him up.

Lambert plans to speak to Delph about his future before long, but has admitted that there is a concern that Villa will be forced into selling the 24-year-old on the cheap in the January transfer window.

"When people are going into the last year there is always that case. You are never sure what can happen," Lambert told the Birmingham Mail.

"With the Bosman ruling the player holds the cards. I know that because I've done it myself.

"I know exactly what the Bosman ruling can do. Fabian's been playing really well and I'm pretty sure he's feeling good - other than the injury. We will speak when it's time."

Delph is currently out of action with a dislocated shoulder which has sidelined him since mid-October.