Terry, who left Chelsea at the end of his contract having spent 22 years at Stamford Bridge, revealed a desire not to play against the Blues prompted his move down a division.

"I won't name names but I'm thankful for the interest in me," he said. "The mental side of playing against Chelsea was too much to get over for me. I was there for 22 years at the football club. I am very proud of that but this is a new chapter in my life and career.

"My thoughts are 100 per cent here and the ambition is to get us back to the Premier League. It's a huge club. Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums in the country and there's a good group of players here.

"I can't wait to get started now and look to help the squad achieve something special this season. It's a club that deserves to be in the Premier League and I still want to continue playing.

"I am hungry to still play with a team and manager that has the same ambition as me to get promoted.

"The ideal situation is to get into the Premier League, that's why I'm here and I believe we have the squad of players to do so. If they're back in the Premier League this time next year I've done my job, and we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."