CHAMPIONSHIP: STEVE BRUCE VILLA

Warrior JT has given us a fresh lease of life

STEVE BRUCE is convinced he made the signing of the summer in John Terry – and that the defender’s ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ status from his days at Chelsea will be enhanced at Villa Park. The Villa chief says he only realised what a prize asset the veteran stopper would be in his quest to lead the former European Champions back into the big-time during last week’s pre-season trip to Germany. It was the sight of Terry flinging himself about during a friendly that brought home the 36-year-old’s warrior mentality. The Geordie believes it is that attitude which has been lacking at Villa and has no doubts that Terry’s arrival will prove the catalyst for a promotion push. Bruce said: “Driving into the training ground I just heard Dean Saunders say on the radio that he thought John Terry was the best signing of the summer.

Presence

“After working with John – and watching him first-hand for two or three weeks – I can only say that I agree with Dean.

“It’s the way John is. Everything about him. It’s just what he brings in terms of presence.

“The way he trains, the way he prepares, the way he looks after himself. I’ve just been away with the squad and he was running around the place like a six-yearold.

“It’s raining like you wouldn’t believe, we’re playing in a match that means nothing in the middle of nowhere and he’s competing like it’s the World Cup final.

“I just thought ‘wow’. He’s 36 years old and he’s in magnificent shape.

“He is used to winning, doing things right. Everything he does, he does right. They don’t come along very often, people like him. He is a leader and all of those things.

“But, let me tell you, he’s also a fabulous player. You don’t realise how good he is until you are working with him. Left foot, right foot. In the air. What an athlete.

“I needed people to come here and handle Aston Villa. He can handle this place. It’s easy to see why he became captain of Chelsea and England.”

But Bruce admits he is still surprised Terry ended up at Villa.

He added: “I honestly never thought we would get him. I thought there would be suitors in the Premier League.

“But if ever I needed reminding how big Aston Villa Football Club is, this has done it. That the idea of leading Aston Villa appealed to John. He wanted to succeed somewhere else other than Chelsea.

“He’s prepared to put his neck on the line. All he asked when we spoke was, ‘We have got to be in with a chance of getting promoted’.

“I said to him, ‘Look, I’ve still got some work to do in terms of recruitment, but

He is used to winning, doing things right. Everything he does, he does right. They don’t come along very often, people like him