James Chester on reduced training programme at Aston Villa as skipper continues to battle knee injury

Boss Dean Smith has revealed Chester is currently training only twice a week in order to manage the knee injury which has dogged him for several weeks.

The 30-year-old has not missed a minute of playing time, such has been his determination to help Villa mount a promotion push.

Chester netted his fifth goal of the season to help spark his team’s fightback from 2-0 against Hull on Saturday.

The Wales international also pulled off an acrobatic goal-line clearance when the game was goal-less.

Smith explained: “Chezzie has been training only a couple of times a week because he had a niggle with a knee.

“He had an injection before the West Bromwich Albion game. That is how long it has been. “He has been soldiering on for us and doing really well. It certainly does not help him that he is not training every day.

“But on Saturday certainly showed the players and us that he can keep getting on with it and do a good job. The goal was a big lift for everyone.”

Smith remains determined to add defensive reinforcements before the month is out.

The head coach has already recalled Tommy Elphick from Hull and signed Kortney Hause on loan from Wolves.

“It has been our problem all season. We are looking to address it in the window in terms of defensive reinforcements,” said Smith.

“We will look to improve that during the transfer window and try to get more options defensively.”