Chester set for new Villa contract

Having secured the signature of midfielder Jack Grealish on a new five-year contract, Aston Villa have now opened talks on the same topic with James Chester, according to The Telegraph.

Manager after failing on the last step of securing Premier League promotion, manager Steve Bruce is keen on keeping the core of his squad together. Grealish’s improved terms mean he’ll now be earning £45,000 per week, and Chester is the next in line.

The centre-back has less than 18 months remaining on his current deal and having rejected an offer from Stoke City this summer, they are determined to keep a stronger hold on him as they prepare to try and go back to England’s top flight.

Chester started his professional career with Manchester United but made only one League Cup appearance for the Red Devils. Loan spells at Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United followed, before he made his was to Hull City in January, 2011. After four and a half seasons with the Tigers, he played a single campaign for West Bromwich Albion and arrived to Villa Park in 2016. So far he has made 101 appearances in all competitions for Bruce’s team, finding the opposition net eight times.