“CAPTAIN. LEADER. VILLAN.” That’s how the Aston Villa chairman, Dr. Tony Xia, announced John Terry in an innovative video showcasing a Whatsapp chat. The much-decorated former England and Chelsea captain after 78 international caps and 22 years at Chelsea Football Club accruing 5 Premier League titles, 5 FA cups, 3 EFL cups, 1 Champions League and 1 Europa League decided to join Aston Villa on a one-year contract over better offers to stay in the Premier League in order to avoid a possible showdown with Chelsea. John Terry is getting a decent compensation of £4m (subject to achieving all incentives); what clinched the move for the Clarets is Terry’s personal equation with Steve Bruce, the manager and Steve Round, the Director of Football at Villa.
“I am delighted to join Aston Villa,” Terry told the Villa website. “It’s a club I have admired from afar for many years.
“There are fantastic facilities at Bodymoor Heath, Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country, and there’s a good group of players here, with an experienced and successful manager in Steve Bruce.
“I can’t wait to get started now and look to help the squad achieve something special this season.”
Despite the club finishing 13th in the last season, they are among the favourites tipped to gain automatic promotion next season. The 36-year-old would bring to the table vast reserves of experience and know-how, not only on the football pitch but also in the dressing room. After having captained England and Chelsea for the better part of his career, his man-management skills are second to none. In terms of forging a team spirit or successfully manning a title challenge, he has been in the thick of it all. Despite being 36 years old, he is at peak fitness and if used sparingly, he is bound to shine at the Championship level. Although the physicality that is emblematic at the Championship level could eventually take a toll on his body.
With Agbonlahor heading the attack, Terry leading the defence, and the deep pockets of their new owner, it’s not hard to see why they are tipped for a promotion next season.
This would be Steve Bruce’s first full season in charge of The Clarets, with the fate of last season decided by the time he took over from Roberto Di Matteo, who could manage to win only one of his eleven games in charge. With four Premier League promotions under his belt, everyone in the club is confident of another impending promotion.
John Terry who is set to embark upon a coaching career after hanging up his boots initially toyed with the idea of retirement before deciding he had one more year in him much to the delight of Villa fans.
