da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
da dobrowin： James Chester’s contract is just seven months away from coming to an end, meaning he is having to prove he deserves to keep his place at the club, as reported by The Birmingham Mail.
It is going to be a very difficult task for the 30-year-old to do that, as he hasn’t seen the pitch for Villa’s first-team once this campaign due to injuries.
So far, all he has managed is three appearances in Premier League 2 for the U23s, showing the extent of how much he has missed.
In addition to that, there is so much competition at centre-back in Dean Smith’s side this term, with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Bjorn Engels and Kortney Hause all vying for a place in the heart of the defence when fit.
Regardless of all of this, Chester has earned his right to another contract, even if it is a short-term one, due to his heroic efforts last season.
His contribution was integral in getting Aston Villa back into the Premier League, offering his own physical wellbeing in the process.
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The Wales international played for months while injured, due to the fact that Villa didn’t have another senior centre-back available, only stepping away when reinforcements were signed in January.
As quoted by The Birmingham Mail, he has admitted this will have a longlasting impact on him: “I’ve damaged my body indefinitely, it’s something I’m going to have to manage for the rest of my career.
“Hopefully I can look after it and play for as long as possible. It is what it is, I’m a professional.”
Football is no longer a game that is filled with loyalty, as players often leave when they get an offer from a bigger club, while they can also be dismissed once they are deemed surplus to requirements.
Red Herring or Real Hero: Only hardcore Villa fans will get all of them right….
However, there should be certain circumstances where somebody is given a greater chance because of what they have done for the club.
Chester put his own career at risk last season while holding it down in defence. Surely another contract and the chance to show what he can do again is the very least he deserves.
In other news, an Aston Villa veteran has been praised by Paul Robinson.