Promotion will make it an easy decision for JT
ASTON Villa captain John Terry says he still has the ‘appetite’ to play football. Terry, 37, is out of contract this summer and Villa are hoping to persuade him to play on.
Manager Steve Bruce and director of football Steve Round enjoy a close relationship with the former Chelsea and England captain and are understood to have been encouraged by conversations over a new deal.
Speaking for the first time about his future, Terry said: “I still have the appetite and hunger, for sure. I just want to get this season finished.
“My aim at the start of the season was to get us up, whether that was automatic or via the play-offs.
“One last push and hopefully we can go out with a bang and make it an easy decision at the end.
“Chelsea will always be my club but since I have been at Villa, I have given my all and the fans have been superb. They have welcomed me with open arms and I like to think I have given back on the pitch and on the training field.
“It has been a good combination and worked well for both, I feel. It’s been an incredible journey so far. It is one I have thoroughly enjoyed. I certainly made the right decision in the summer.
“I have really enjoyed it – they are a great bunch of lads, the manager has been superb with me, and the fans as well have been excellent.
“This football club deserves to be in the Premier League – the support it has got, how big it is, the players, everyone deserves it. It is huge. The travelling support is incredible. We are equipped to go up. We need a little bit of luck and hopefully we will get that.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is expected to spend next season on loan at Villa.
The 20-year-old arrived in January hoping to achieve regular football under Bruce but injuries have prevented him from doing that. He has only played five times in claret and blue.
His latest setback arrived 26 minutes into the victory over Cardiff City earlier this month and Tuan- zebe is now likely to miss the rest of the season. However, it is understood Tuanzebe, who is highly thought of by United boss Jose Mourinho, will return to Villa Park for another loan stint, irrespective of the league Villa are playing in.
An Old Trafford source said: “We know Villa are keen on him. He is expected to go on the US pre-season tour before Jose makes his final decision over him.”
If Villa don’t win promotion to the Premier League cuts will need to be made to comply with Financial Fair Play. The club will once again look to wheel and deal in the loan market.
Tuanzebe is one of five loan players with Villa. Bruce hopes to make deals for Sam Johnstone, Robert Snodgrass and Lewis Grabban permanent.