John Terry will not play against Chelsea after joining Aston Villa

John Terry has admitted the idea of playing against Chelsea in the Premier League was partly behind his decision to join Aston Villa on a one-year contract.

The 36-year-old defender left Chelsea at the end of last season following two trophy-laden decades at Stamford Bridge, which culminated in Terry lifting the Premier League title last season.

Midlands rivals Birmingham City offered Terry a contract while top-flight clubs Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion were interested in his services.

“The mental side of playing against Chelsea was too much to kind of get over for me,” Terry said at his unveiling at Villa Park on Monday. “It was 22 years and I am very proud of that, I wish Chelsea well next season but now my thoughts are 100% here. I am delighted to be here as a player.

"It is obviously a huge club, I had a few conversations with Steve [Bruce] over the summer. I am very hungry to still play at the top with a club and a manager who still has the same ambition as me."

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