The pathetic start to the New Year for Aston Villa has been momentarily put to rest as they clinched a 1-0 win over Derby County. Although the win might have been a scrappy one and certainly not quite convincing, Steve Bruce wouldn’t mind getting all three points which was thoroughly crucial to give them a breathing space from falling into the dropout zone. After losing six games on the trot, a jovial scene is bound to uplift the morale at the Villa Park, though there is still a lot left to be done.
The playoff spot are a seemingly far cry for Aston Villa at the moment, but they should be pleased for having a captain in their ranks who has a never-say-die attitude. James Chester has been one of the very rare performing assets this season for Bruce but nonetheless, in a season that has been filled with miseries and woes, Chester’s resounding form throughout the campaign can be deciphered as a silver lining. And let’s not forget to mention that he played a pivotal role in their first win in this calendar.
The 28-year-old took precautionary measures from the starting whistle and marshalled his troops like a skipper should, shouting at his fellowmen and guiding them in an exemplary manner. He not only catered to the defensive aspects of the Villans, rather he surged forward and despite seeing his header getting saved by Scott Carson once, he buried a calmly finished chance after Henri Lansbury dished out an exquisite ball into the box, which eventually proved to be the winning goal of the game.
The former West Bromwich Albion defender broke the aspired trajectory of the Rams’ crosses in Aston Villa’s half, standing firm every time Derby County’s attackers came surging in and gelled well once again with Nathan Baker to register a clean sheet for his side, time and again, he cleared the ball, made crucial blocks and interceptions and ensured that his employers have the final laugh in the game despite them living dangerously in the dying minutes of their latest outing.
Frankly speaking, Chester deserved to be on the winning side and if there is someone in the ranks of Aston Villa who should be plying his trade at the top tier, it has to be this central defender. Consistency and commitment were the outcomes he has successfully garnered this term and his phenomenon resilience proved to be the difference between Aston Villa and Derby County this weekend.
