Chester’s all smiles again after Villa move

Euro success with Wales provided spark to get career back on track

THERE’S a glint in James Chester’s eyes. A broad smile on his face. This is a happy man, rejuvenated after the most frustrating year of his football career and back on track following his exciting move to Aston Villa.

When the 2015/16 season ended, Chester was down in the dumps wondering what might happen next after a miserable first season at West Bromwich Albion where he made just nine Premier League starts.

Interest from elsewhere was low and some experts even labelled him an £8 million flop.

But then came the European Championships – a shop window for Chester to prove his worth. And how he seized his opportunity.

“I don’t think anyone imagined it would be that good,” the centre-half said when looking back on Wales’ run to the semi-finals of the compe-

Itition. “It was a special experience and one that I will look back on in years to come. “For me, last year was difficult. “Mentally I was in a place that had never been before.

“I was doubting every decision I was making, so to show what I was all about on the biggest stage I have ever played on was good for my confidence. It set me up well to come to such a big club here.”

Chester just needed a run of games to prove his worth and regain his confidence. Deep down he knew his true value and there was never a doubt that he wouldn’t bounce back from a disappointing season at The Hawthorns.

When the Euros ended, the calls came thick and fast.

His representatives spoke to a number of potential suitors but when Villa firmed up their interest the ex-Hull ace immediately had his heart set on a move.

“To come to such a big club like Villa is great,” he said. “I’m a very proud person.

“At West Brom it didn’t go the way I imagined. I’m not sure how fair a chance I was given but sometimes these things happen in football.

“I had to move on if I wanted to play regularly.”

Clearly Chester felt hard done-by at Albion but there were no hard feelings when he waved goodbye to Tony Pulis last week.

Regrets? Probably, but the centrehalf isn’t a man who dwells too much on the past.

“I knew with how last season went my time was pretty much up before it began which is a shame.

“I knew last season before the Euros that I would probably have to move on if I wanted to play football.

“We all know in football that you will have spells out of the team but to be out for so long was difficult to deal with. To come here and know that I will be competing to be playing week in, week out, and that I’ve got a purpose to train, is a big boost.”