Aston Villa captain makes emotional deadline day move

 

James Chester has completed a loan move to Championship side Stoke, Aston Villa have confirmed.

The Villans' club captain has returned from a long term knee injury but following the permanent signings of Tyrone Mings, Kortney Hause, Ezri Konsa and Bjorn Engels since suffering that setback, Chester has fallen down the pecking order under Dean Smith.

The Wales international's contract will expire come the end of the season so the 31-year-old has effectively kicked his last ball for Villa following a rare start in the FA Cup defeat at Fulham earlier this month.

Chester had been a mainstay at Villa Park prior to injury, playing every single minute available of his first two seasons at the club after arriving from Midlands rivals West Brom in 2016.

In that time he helped Aston Villa reach two Championship play-off finals, earning the captain's armband and the adoration of the fans having been one of the club's most consistent performers in tumultuous times over recent years.

 

 

He joins Stoke just five points above the Championship relegation zone but in decent form and will be aiming to prove his fitness in order to earn a permanent contract, wherever that may be, ahead of next season.