Aston Villa skipper James Chester reveals inside knowledge behind heroic clearance
Villa captain James Chester has revealed the inside knowledge which aided his spectacular goal-line clearance in Friday night’s 2-0 win over Bolton.
After Jack Grealish had fired Villa ahead, Chester preserved the lead when he kept out Jack Hobbs’s header in acrobatic fashion.
The pair were once team-mates at Hull and Chester explained: “Having played with Jack, I had an inkling where the header was going, which helped me to be in the right place.
“But I did surprise myself with how high I got my foot, I must admit! I knew it was close to the line.”
Chester followed up his clearance by adding Villa’s second goal to earn the man-of-the-match honours.
It was a welcome return to form for the usually dependable 30-year-old, who admitted to being disappointed with some of his performances this season.
He hopes Friday night’s showing is a sign he is now over the hump.
Chester said: “I was pleased on Friday. I have not been pleased with some of my other performances this season.
“But I have played more than 100 games in just over two seasons. My consistency is my biggest asset but you have to accept sometimes your form will drop.
“I have been around long enough to know I will come through it. I am pretty pleased with how the 100 games have gone up to this point.
“You always know as a player you are going to have a sticky patch now and again. I have had the odd good game as well this season. Hopefully I have come through it and Friday is the start of better form.”
