The Villans are currently in the bottom-half of the Championship table ahead of Sunday’s game with Nottingham Forest.
James Chester (left) in action for Wales
James Chester has told the Birmingham Mail that creating a great team spirit will boost Aston Villa’s hopes of securing promotion enormously.
The defender joined the club in the summer as the Villans attempted to create a squad capable of getting back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo
And while Chester – who was part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Championships this summer – believes that there is enough quality within the team to put themselves in contention to go up, he explained that their chances of success will only be strengthened if they create a sense of unity.
“If you get on with the lads and enjoy spending time with each other, you will get the best out of each other,” he told the Mail.
Some of Villa’s celebrating their goal against Bristol City
“I’ve been lucky enough to experience it at the clubs I’ve played for, and with Wales this summer.
“That’s a big part of the battle won and if we can create that at Villa, with the players the gaffer has signed, we’re proven in getting out of this division.”
Despite the hugely disappointing campaign in the top flight last term, there was arguably a real sense of optimism going into this season.
Roberto Di Matteo’s arrival and the change of ownership seemingly helped appease the rightfully-disgruntled supporters. And while they have made a mixed start on the pitch – with one win and five points coming from their opening five games – the signs suggest that there is plenty more to come from the Midlands side.
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