An ode to James Chester – Aston Villa’s quiet hero who is always available from his center back position.
Aston Villa’s defense has been fantastic this season – in particular since the start of January – and one of the key reasons the club currently sit second in the league. Out of Steve Bruce’s preferred center back partnership, John Terry gets the captain-ship and media attention, but it’s the other who remains the mortar that holds the brick wall defense together.
That man is James Chester.
Terry has been great for Villa this season, but Chester has been equally as good, if not better, but more importantly, always available – playing every minute of the club’s 32 league matches thus far. He receives less credit and media attention than his partner, the former Chelsea F.C. and England star. But put together, they are the perfect pairing.
For Chester, this is his second season with Villa after joining the club from rivals West Bromwich Albion. Since then, he has stood strong at the back under Roberto Di Matteo and now Steve Bruce.
Mr. Durable:
This season alone, Chester has played in every EFL Championship game for Villa, which is currently a total of 2,880 minutes. Only Sam Johnstone has spent that much time on the park this season and the fact those two have been on the field all season is a reason why the defense of the team has been so good in the push for promotion (akin to last season, too).
Chester’s durability is something that seems to be under appreciated, but is crucial to the team’s dynamics. Being so durable helps with his consistency, something that is key for a center back and he has performed in nearly every game he has played this season.
Based on WhoScored.com, Chester also has the fifth-highest rating out of Villa’s squad with 7.12 aggregate, averaging just over 8 clearances per match.
Chester’s underrated attributes:
The Welsh international, who started every game at the 2016 European Championships, also chips in every now and then up front. Last season he scored three goals, while so far this season he has one goal and an assist for the claret and blues.
He’s not required to score, but it’s added value having a center back capable of scoring from dead ball situations. He may not score many, but his heading ability means defenders have to be weary of him, leaving others more space to attack set pieces.
One of the main things that really stands out in Chester’s game is the way he goes about his job. His positioning is generally fantastic and communicates well with his fellow defenders when under pressure. He doesn’t particularly have age on his side, having just turned 29, but hopefully still has a few years left in him at the top level of football. His time at Villa isn’t something that the club needs to be concerned about either, as his current contract isn’t due to expire until June 2020.
With the kind of form Villa are in at the moment, it could be easy to get carried away and think results will take care of themselves. Chester emits a good level of confidence but shows a balanced attitude on the pitch, something that will be crucial in the remaining 15 matches.
Football is a team game, but Chester has been a key part of Steve Bruce’s jigsaw puzzle this season. Hopefully, along with Terry, he continues to be the glue that sticks the team together for not only this season, but seasons to come.