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John Terry may continue his career as part of Aston Villa’s promotion push

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: John Terry of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Kurt Zouma of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: John Terry of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Kurt Zouma of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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John Terry’s Instagram posts have kept up a steady stream of rumours that he was planning a move to Portugal after leaving Chelsea. His recent post from Portugal, though, kicked off speculation that he may head into the Championship with Aston Villa.

John Terry has dropped plenty of hints over the season that Portugal plays some role in his future plans. Most rumours of his first post-Chelsea club, though, have focused on other Premier League sides. Bournemouth are the leading candidate, although Swansea were a strong contender with Paul Clement at the helm.

Over the weekend, Terry was back in Portugal and back on Instagram. This time, however, his post raised hopes that he would stay in England and restore Aston Villa to the Premier League.

Terry posted a picture from a Portuguese golf course with Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce. The Villains reportedly think John Terry could help power a promotion push in their second season in the Championship.

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Aston Villa barely escaped relegation 2014/15, but dropped down after 2015/16. They finished 13th last season, tying two other teams on points but lagging those two clubs on goal differential and goals scored. Aston Villa scored the fourth-fewest goals in the league (47). However, they allowed the fifth-fewest goals (48).

As with the other teams courting Terry, Aston Villa are looking for him to provide experience and stability rather than start 30 games next season. Villa have had high turnover among players in the last two seasons, particularly upon relegation. Everton star Idrissa Gueye and Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore both jumped ship to stay in the Premier League as Villa went down.

Aston Villa had played every season in the Premier League until 2016/17. They are second only to Everton for total number of seasons (105) in the top division of English football. After their last few seasons in the Premier League, they looked like they needed the drop in order to recalibrate as a club.

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Terry may relish the challenge – and the novelty – of a promotion push. However, he surely believes that he still has several year in the top division left in him. Even if Aston Villa offered him more playing time than a Premier League club, he may choose the former to ensure he sees out his career at the top.

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