In Thursday’s press conference ahead of Aston Villa’s trip this weekend to Elland Road to face off against Leeds United, head coach Dean Smith gave his usual injury update and confirmed that centre-half James Chester was now truly back on the road to recovery after his lengthy injury issues this season.
The 30-year-old was long struggling with a knee complaint and did play through pain for us with options at the back so limited, and it did clearly effect his own form at points, but in the 28 appearances he did make this season, he chipped in with five goals. With us getting some defensive cover in the January window, Chester finally had the opportunity to get himself right and with him now back in full training, the injury issues appear to be easing at just the right time as we turn our own attentions to the season extension and the Play-Offs.
Reacting to news of his return, plenty of Villa fans were delighted to finally see him back.
Go on Jimmy Chester ❤️ #avfc #utv https://t.co/VDwwe3nfRF
— Dan Bardell (@danbardell) April 25, 2019
STOP. FORGETTING. HOW. IMPORTANT. JAMES. CHESTER. IS. TO. US.#avfc
— Villans Opinions (@VillansOpinions) April 25, 2019
Unpopular opinion but I think Chester is better than Kortney Hause, can’t judge his poor performances while playing through injury considering how good he was for the previous seasons.
— Emmett???????? (@EmmettAVFC) April 25, 2019
People that say Chester isn't good on the ball make me laugh. He's one of the most composed players I've seen. Never panics. Ever. #avfc
— Harry Johnson (@avfc_johnson) April 25, 2019
Laugh at people who think Chester wouldn’t get a sniff in the Team now, he played through the pain for us till we could get replacements! When he was fit last season he was one of the best in the league, him next to Mings ???? #avfc
— Phil Rees (@York_Villa) April 25, 2019
Great to have strength in depth and options ???????????????? #avfc
— Simon (@simonuk103) April 25, 2019
Chester lives!!! ???? #TeamChester
— Sam ???? (@SamPennells) April 25, 2019
Chester is still with us ????
— Matt Carter (@Matt7Carter) April 25, 2019
Get Chester back soon as possible so we have a defender on the bench with Elphick ????
— BennJay ???? (@xBennJay) April 25, 2019