Claret Villans
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Aston Villa defense set to regress heavily after personnel losses

By Josh Tonti

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: James Chester of Aston Villa controls the ball as Jonny Howson of Middlesbrough chases during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final second leg match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on May 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 15: James Chester of Aston Villa controls the ball as Jonny Howson of Middlesbrough chases during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final second leg match between Aston Villa and Middlesbrough at Villa Park on May 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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The Aston Villa defense, an unwavering strength these past two seasons, could regress heavily following the expected losses of so many veteran players. Those who replace might provide highly-volatile performances.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Aston Villa captain John Terry is not returning to the club next season. His parting of ways, an expectation following play-off final defeat to Fulham, leaves a glaring hole at the left center back position alongside James Chester. While Terry’s loss can be mitigated some, Chester would represent a gargantuan, white flag-waving surrender going into next season. His future in the claret and blue is up in the air. With two years to go on his Villa contract, the Wales international might be sacrificed in a long, grueling rebuild towards Financial Fair Play compliance.

Behind the center back pairing, not a lot remains. Christopher Samba is a free agent, while Tommy Elphick is seemingly off to Reading. Mile Jedinak might spend the off-season preparing for a position switch, but as things stand, Villa have one senior center back: James Chester.

Flanking Terry and Chester for three quarters of the season was a revolving door at the fullback position. Villa played five different right backs on the season, mostly with “meh” results.

Ritchie De Laet is currently negotiating a move to Royal Antwerp, while United loanee Axel Tuanzebe has not been officially confirmed as returning. His loan move was cut short due to a serious calf injury, but there have been rumors that both sides struck a deal for him to return under Steve Bruce next season. Unless James Bree takes a major step forward as the starting option, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the right back position is a strength for Aston Villa next year. Ditto for the left back spot, where lonely ole’ Neil Taylor occupies. Alan Hutton is a free agent and turns 34 in November.

Next: Grading The Right Back Position 2017/2018

Sam Johnstone, so dependable the last 18 months in goal, returns to Manchester United at the expiry of his loan deal. Barring the unforeseen, it seems as though Johnstone has played himself into the Premier League, and thus, away from Aston Villa. The claret and blues could go into next season missing their starting goalkeeper, both center backs, and all reserve center backs, with one senior left back coming off a bad campaign, and a bundle of right backs who didn’t perform too well. Yikes.

The defense, as it stands, and how it’s expected to shake out, should cast serious concerns going into next season.

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