Aston Villa have rejected a second bid from Fulham for full back Mark Delaney, believed to be in the region of £1.5m.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman is keen to sign an experienced right back to replace Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan, who moved to Liverpool earlier this summer. Welsh international Delaney is thought to be Coleman’s top target and the Whites have seriously tested Villa’s resolve to keep hold of the 27 year-old defender by upping their offer from an opening bid of £400,000, which Villa chairman Doug Ellis described as ‘derisory’.

Delaney told the press this morning: “I’m very happy at Villa. I’ve got three years left on my contract.”