Aston Villa club captain James Chester targets Premier League return after opening up on injury hell

Chester lifted the Championship play-off trophy alongside Jack Grealish yesterday, having watched Villa’s 2-1 win at Wembley from the stands.

The 30-year-old, a staple of Villa’s team for two-and-a-half years, has not played since January due to a knee issue he admits will have to be managed for the rest of his career.

Chester played through the pain barrier for more than two months after suffering the injury in November.

And he said: “It was tough but it is how I have been brought up. I felt it was my duty to continue on and being involved.

“I have damaged my body indefinitely, really. It is something I am going to have to manage for the rest of my career. It is what it is.

“I am a professional. Hopefully I can look after it as best I can and play for as long as possible.

“I am OK at the moment. I have been back the last six weeks and it was just a case of the season running out on me.

“The break over the summer will hopefully do me well and hopefully I will be raring to go next season.

“I was pleased to be back by the end of the season with what I had done. I have always looked after myself and hopefully I will continue to do that and give myself the best chance possible.”

Chester did not miss a game for more than two seasons after joining Villa in a £6million move from Albion in August 2016.

And he rightly takes pride in the part he played in helping get the club back to the Premier League.

He said: “It has been a long three years to get this club to where it is now. I am proud of the achievement personally and what the lads have achieved today.

“It is certainly tough not playing. Any player will tell you that. If you are not involved, you feel like you are not part of things.

“You are having your own battles trying to get fit. I have been part of what this club has achieved and I am really proud of that.”