The 27-year-old impressed for Aston Villa on the weekend.
Speaking to the club’s website, Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has praised defender James Chester for playing through the pain barrier in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Cardiff City.
First-half goals from Albert Adomah and Jonathan Kodjia, either side of Rickie Lambert’s brief equaliser, helped Aston Villa into a 2-1 half-time lead.
Rudy Gestede then sealed the three points with a stoppage-time penalty as Bruce’s side moved four points adrift of the top six in the Championship.
Chester, a £9 million signing from West Brom in the summer (figures provided by The Mail), was his usual dominant self in the Villans’ defence.
The Welsh centre-back broke his nose during the 1-1 draw with Brighton in Aston Villa’s previous outing, but Bruce says that his performance on Saturday under those circumstances are typical of the man.
“James broke his nose at Brighton. It’s sore but you wouldn’t have thought it against Cardiff,” he told Villa’s official website.
“He played with a mask. It was typical Chezzie – he’s from tough stock.
“He didn’t even flinch. There was no question he wouldn’t play. I thought he did great.”
Aston Villa are yet to lose under the 55-year-old, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo almost two months ago.
The West Midlands side have won four and drawn three of Bruce’s first seven matches in charge, but another big test lies on the horizon as the Villans’ now gear up to face in-form Leeds United – fifth in the Championship – on Saturday evening.
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