Hero Flowers let me bloom

JOHN TERRY’S influence is already being felt at new-look Villa.

He spent time before kick-off signing autographs for fans and waved when he walked on to the pitch.

But it’s what’s happening at the training ground that is getting Terry noticed.

This was only the second time in the last 14 league games Villa haven’t conceded a goal.

Terry, partnered with James Chester in central defence, held Villa together last season and they have looked far more vulnerable without him.

His job as rookie coach in the new management team is to get some backbone into the backline.

Manager Dean Smith makes no bones about aiming for promotion this season for the team he has supported since he was seven.

Smith said: “John has had a big input, as has Richard O’Kelly.

“We’ve worked hard on defending without the ball and defending our box.

“JT’s been at the top level and international level, so he knows his stuff. He doesn’t rally the troops, he coaches. He passes on tips that he has learned in the game.”

O’Kelly, a long time No.2 to Smith, looks after the forwards and Terry looks after the defence.

Smith added: “Myself and Terry have done some good work with the defensive system this week.”

There were Villa players from the League title and European Cup-winning days of the early 1980s at the game, paying their respects as part of the emotional tribute Villa Park gave to former owner and chairman Sir Doug Ellis.

It took five good saves from Norway keeper Orjan Nyland to keep out Swansea.

The Swans should have been overrun following Tammy Abraham’s eighth-minute header but survived, got better – yet could not get past Nyland.

Swansea boss Graham Potter said: “He made some good saves.”