Collins' professionalism could tighten Aston Villa's defence like Terry did

By Sam Preston

Free agent James Collins could be set for a short-term return to Aston Villa in the coming weeks, according to the Daily Mirror.

They report that Dean Smith offered the former West Ham man a £10,000 a week contract to return to Villa until the end of January, but Collins tore it up after one training session as he picked up an injury.

Villa bigwigs are apparently impressed with Collins’ professionalism in refusing to be paid now that he is injured and that has left the door open for him to sign another deal at Villa Park to ease Smith’s defensive crisis.

Smith is doing great work with his boyhood club but is short on central defensive options and Collins would be an experienced stopgap.

(Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

John Terry’s experience and leadership tightened up Villa’s defence last season under Steve Bruce and while Collins may not play every week like the former Chelsea captain, he could have a similar impact.

Terry’s influence was so profound that Villa elected to bring him back to the club as Smith’s assistant and the two of them now working in tandem at Villa Park could provide Smith’s side with the solid bedrock needed to propel a promotion push.