Aston Villa Boss Roberto Di Matteo Cannot Hide His Delight After James Chester's Debut Performance
Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo singled out new £8m signing James Chester for particular praise for his display in the convincing 3-0 win over Rotherham on Saturday, the Birmingham Mail reports.
Chester, 27, completed the short move from West Bromwich Albion to Villa Park last week and was a doubt to start in the game after completing just a solitary training session with his new teammates.
But he started the game alongside new defensive partner Tommy Elphick and marshalled the team to just their second clean sheet in six months of football with his performance, which, in particular for Di Matteo, was a highlight.
The former Hull City defender enjoyed a stellar summer with Wales at Euro 2016 and that form, as well as his performances in the Premier League last season, convinced the former Chelsea boss to try his utmost to secure Chester's signature.
"It wasn't easy for him,"? Di Matteo told reporters. "He only had half a training session so I took a calculated risk on him."
"But you can see today the reasons I tried very hard to sign him," he added. "He's an out-and-out defender who has this calming presence on those around him on the pitch.
"We hope that he will have a good season with us."?
Goals from Rudy Gestede and Jack Grealish sealed the comprehensive win over Rotherham and it was the West Midlands' first competitive win since February after a disastrous start to Championship season.
An opening day 1-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday was swiftly followed by a hugely disappointing 3-1 EFL Cup defeat against League Two side Luton Town. But the win has lifted spirits amongst the fans and chairman Dr. Tony Xia, "?who hailed the victory as the start of something special.
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