Bruce wants Aston Villa to sanction shock deal for veteran defender

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is desperate to re-sign John Terry on a free transfer, claims The Sun.

The 37-year-old left Villa at the end of last season after one campaign at the club but has not formally announced his retirement.

Villa have made an underwhelming start to the new campaign and Bruce is already under pressure following their 4-1 defeat away to Sheffield United at the weekend.

Bruce wants Terry to return to Villa Park and is hoping to convince the club’s new owners, Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, to sanction a deal.

Villa made it all the way to the play-off final last season where they were beaten by Fulham and Terry played an important part in galvanising the dressing room.

However, Bruce’s side actually had a better win ratio in the league when Terry did not start (57.1%) compared to when he did feature from the off (48.6%).