Fabian Delph looks the part in Aston Villa's second tilt at Wembley

While his former Leeds team-mates relish their cup run and the media attention that goes with it, Fabian Delph has had to contend with life on the fringes of Aston Villa's first team. By his own admission the 20-year-old's form has "dropped quite a lot" since his £6m transfer from Elland Road last summer, but here he came close to remedying that shortfall. "It felt good but I thought I should have had a hat-trick to be honest," said Delph, after collecting the man of the match award and asked to ponder his first goal for Villa. He laughed at the idea his dynamic, puckish display in Villa's midfield had justified the faith shown in him. "No. Definitely not," he said. "I thought I was very sloppy. People like to set themselves high standards and hopefully I can reach the standards that I was at at Leeds. I think my standard's dropped – quite a lot if I'm honest – but with games I can get better." He remains an untypical footballer. Against Brighton he could be wild without the ball yet thrillingly direct with it, while off the pitch he veers between cocky and timid. Two anecdotes bear that out. On joining Villa he was told that his hotel was haunted. "It was. I went into the bedroom and things were moving. The receptionist said there were quite a few reports of ghosts but that they were friendly enough. I said, 'Fine, but this isn't for me; I'm off'." The story surprises his manager, Martin O'Neill, who has told his young charge to curb his enthusiasm in training. "He's a very quiet lad, but I did have to tell him to calm down a bit," he said. "He told me they went through each other in the five-a-sides at Leeds. I'd be happy for him to do that all day if I had 100 players ..." "I just like kicking people," Delph said, deadpan again. If his performance on Saturday surprised some, Brighton's manager, Gus Poyet, would have seen it coming. The Uruguayan had successfully pressed for the youngster to be given his debut while assistant manager at Leeds, and nodded in appreciation when Delph beat Brighton's goalkeeper Michael Kuipers with a close-range finish. Poyet had few complaints. His side had unexpectedly gone in at half time level after Tommy Elphick had cancelled out Nathan Delfouneso's opener. Villa looked home and dry after Ashley Young and Delph made it 3-1 before Nicky Forster's injury-time consolation strike. "I think the first half was close to one of our best performances, considering the opposition," said Poyet. "I was never going to come to Villa Park and try and play for a 0-0 and be boring. That is not my style. I wanted to come and entertain and the boys can be proud of their efforts." Despite this defeat there is great cause for enthusiasm around Brighton. In 18 months they leave the wretched Withdean Stadium behind in favour of the purpose -built Falmer Stadium. The majority of the £60m cost of the new ground has been personally underwritten by the club's chairman, Tony Bloom, a property developer and professional gambler with the nickname 'The Lizard'. If Brighton can avoid relegation – they are currently 19th in League One – then nearly 15 years fraught with uncertainty may be at an end. Villa, on the other hand, are contemplating reaching Wembley twice this season. They will need to defend better, they will need to keep players fit, they could just do it.