John Terry helping Dean Smith change Aston Villa culture

Terry is guaranteed a rapturous reception at Stamford Bridge, where he won the Champions League and five Premier League titles during a playing career which spanned two decades, the vast majority of which he spent as captain.

Yet while tonight promises to be a special occasion for Terry, his chief focus will be on helping Smith mastermind victory for Villa.

“He’ll be excited and I’m sure he will get an unbelievable reception after the playing career he had at Chelsea,” said the Villa boss.

“I’m sure it will be a little bit different for him, but his mind has been solely on helping myself, Richard O’Kelly and Neil Cutler coach the team to try and beat the club he loves.”

Terry spent a season playing at Villa after leaving Chelsea in 2017, before returning as part of Smith’s backroom team in October last year.

Smith believes the 38-year-old’s vast Premier League experience has proved invaluable this term as Villa have looked to re-establish themselves back among the elite.

“He’s brought something different to our coaching set-up and I feel he’s come into his own with us getting promoted into the Premier League,” said Smith

“He’s spent all his career, apart from with us, in the Premier League as well, and he’s getting better and better as a coach. It’s his knowledge, his experiences, he’s lifted the Premier League title enough times, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

“He was a serial winner for Chelsea, so he knows how to win things, and that mentality can rub off on people.”

Terry’s return is just one of several storylines ahead of Villa’s first match at Stamford Bridge for more than four years.

There is also the presence, in the home dugout, of his long-time Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard, who will come face-to-face with Villa’s coaching staff for the first time since last season’s Championship play-off final, when he was in charge of the Derby team beaten 2-1 on the day.

Depending on a late fitness test, the home team may also feature Tammy Abraham, the striker who scored 26 goals while on loan at Villa last term and played such a pivotal role in helping win promotion.

Abraham has quickly become a key player for Chelsea this season, where he has scored 11 goals.

“He is the player I thought he would be in the Premier League,” said Smith.

“I would have loved to have kept him here but it would have cost too much money.

“I am pleased we as a club played a small part in his development.

“He was a joy to work with. He is a great person and has a great attitude.”