James Chester has been confirmed as Aston Villa captain as their Championship campaign begins on Monday night.
The club confirmed on their official website that the 29-year-old will take over from John Terry, who left the club this summer.
New skipper appointed ?#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/FLEVA7ymLI
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 3, 2018
The Welsh international is familiar with captaining Villa after skippering the club in his first season under both Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Bruce.
Chester is likely to lead the side out at former club Hull City – Villa’s opponents in their first game of the season – and is a solid choice to take the armband for the upcoming season.
OPINION
James Chester’s fine form for Aston Villa has attracted interest from a host of Premier League and Championship clubs and was rumoured to exit Villa Park but the centre-back has rejected the offers in his attempt to lead Villa back into the English top flight after two years since relegation.
Chester is now in his prime years as a footballer at the age of 29 and is rarely injured which is a bonus for Villa as his presence will be key with Premier League experience to his name after featuring for Hull City and local rivals West Brom.
The Welshman has been a rock at the heart of a solid Villa defence, winning the supporters’ Player of the Season award last season and was only one of two players to play every minute of their Championship campaign, playing a major part in achieving an impressive 20 clean sheets last year.
Chester played an integral role in guiding Wales to the semi-finals of the European Championship and has a big part to play for his club this season after the arrival of their billionaire owners.