Terry joined Villa to avoid playing Chelsea

John Terry says he opted to drop down to the Championship and join Aston Villa because he could not face playing against Chelsea.

Terry signed a one-year deal at Villa Park and has set his sights on winning promotion to the Premier League this season.

The former England skipper had options to play in the Premier League but says the idea of lining up against the club he gave over two decades of service to was too much.

He said: “It was that mental side of playing against Chelsea that would be too much to get over. I had 22 unbelievable years at the football club. This is a new chapter. I wish Chelsea well but my thoughts are 100 per cent here and the ambition to get back in Premier League.”

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Plenty of Championship teams as well as clubs from abroad were keen on signing Terry, but he says the chance to work with manager Steve Bruce was a key factor.

He added: “I am delighted to join Aston Villa. It’s a club I have admired from afar for many years – there are fantastic facilities at Bodymoor Heath, Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country and there`s a good group of players here, with an experienced and successful manager in Steve Bruce.

“I can’t wait to get started now and look to help the squad achieve something special this season.

“The club speaks for itself – the stadium, the pitch, the fans. I have been on the receiving end of it. It has great support and is a club that deserves to be in the Premier League.

“That is the ambition of myself and everyone here. Steve being Steve persuaded me to come here. I am delighted. I still want to play. The hunger is still there.”