Aston Villa’s James Chester says he has not been at his best

Follow us on Google Discover

James Chester is an important player for Aston Villa.

Aston Villa central defender James Chester has admitted to Sky Sports that he is not playing as well as he should be at the moment.

Chester – who joined Villa from West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2016 for a transfer fee reported by The Daily Mail to be worth £9 million and when Roberto Di Matteo was in charge – has made 14 starts in the Championship for the Villans so far this season, scoring two goals in the process, according to WhoScored.

“I’ve played a lot of games for this club since I’ve been here and there has to be a bit of realism in that you know you are going to go through a sticky patch now and again,” Chester told Sky Sports. “I know I’ve not quite been at the level I’d want this season.”

Improvement needed

Villa’s recent results and performances have not been great, and it is clear that Dean Smith’s side need to improve.

Chester is one of the best central defenders in the Championship, but the Wales international does need to step up.

The Villans have to tighten in defence, and given his obvious importance to the team, the 29-year-old needs to leave by example from the back.

Villa will return to action on Friday evening when they take on Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park in the Championship.