Tammy Abraham backs old friend to galvanise Aston Villa

Terry, who has returned to the club as assistant to new head coach Dean Smith, is known to the striker from their time together at Chelsea.

The pair have remained in contact, with Terry helping convince Abraham to join Villa on a season-long loan from the Premier League club. Now he is starting his coaching career at Villa Park after announcing his retirement from playing earlier this month.

Abraham said: “Everyone sees John as a leader, he was a great captain and great player. The way he was on and off the pitch, he was always a leader. A lot of players will look up to him.

“Hopefully one day we’ll be seeing him as a first-team manager. He’s got all the qualities to become one.

“He was always so calm and relaxed, he would always encourage but you’d never see him angry. I’d like to see how he is as a manager too!

“When he retired I sent him a nice message and said congrats on retirement and that was the last time we spoke. The next thing I know he’s the assistant manager.

“Even with Chelsea, when I went up to the first team he always welcomed me and took me under his arm.

“I’ve been close to him ever since, before the start of the season he called me and spoke to me about Villa.

“He said how much he enjoyed it and said it would be a good club for me. Now we’re working together, it’s a funny thing.”