Birkir: I’ll bring graft and goals to Villa cause

HARD work and goals are what Aston Villa fans can expect from Birkir Bjarnason, according to the man himself.

Bjarnason, 29, joined Villa from FC Basel in the January transfer window but appeared only eight times before seeing his season ended by a knee injury in March.

But he’s now back fit and enjoyed a tough week training with Villa out in Portugal as Steve Bruce whipped his players into shape ahead of the new campaign.

And Bjarnason is expecting big things in what will be his first full season in claret and blue.

The attacking midfielder said: “When I joined, I managed to get into the team and I felt good.

“It was so disappointing injured.

“The staff at Villa were great and actually they got me back quite quickly.

“I kept positive. It’s a new start for me this season. I think it’s going to be very good.

“I feel very well now. I had a good rest over the summer but also managed to get a game in too with the national team. I feel really good.

“The training camp in Portugal has been very good.

“The weather has been superb, the facilities are great and training has been intense and hard – but we need that to get fit for the season. “It’s good to get started now for me. “The fans can expect a hard-working midfielder, I like to get in the box and I like to score goals. I feel I can offer all kinds of things.”

JAMES Chester admits he’s to get loving every minute of lining up new signing John Terry.

And the Villa defender reckons his presence will help the claret and blues thrive in times ahead.

“With him being a centre-half and when you look at what he’s achieved, I find myself fortunate to be able to send time with him on and off the pitch,” he said.

“He’s right up there – he’s a legend of the Premier League era. He’s won everything possible at club level.

“He’s captained a huge club for so many years and the national team as well. He’s up there as one of the very best over the last 10, 15, 20 years.”

When the story broke that Terry was joining Villa, Chester admitted that he thought it was too good to be true.

“When the rumours were flying around and people were asking me, my response was ‘I will believe it when I see it.

“I think it’s testament to the manager, the owner as well as the size and history of the club that JT has dropped down a division to come here.

“He’s demanding high standards already. I don’t think that’s a surprise with the trophies he’s won and the success he’s had. That’s a given at those levels.

“Hopefully he can help us achieve what we all want to do and that’s get the club back to the Premier League.”

Terry appears to have settled well in his early days at Villa, thanking the squad for welcoming him into the fold in pre-season, and urging them to make it a campaign to remember.

Via his Instagram account, he posted: “It’s been a great week training with @avfcofficial. Big thank you to all the players and staff for welcoming me into the group. Let’s make it a great season.” alongside