John Terry: I'll stay at Aston Villa if we win promotion
John Terry has confirmed he will stay at Villa if they win promotion through the play-offs.
The 37-year-old is prepared to extend his playing career by another season for another crack at the Premier League.
Terry, who signed an initial one-year-deal after leaving Chelsea last summer, has previously indicated his willingness to stay if Villa were successful in winning promotion.
But the five-time Premier League winner has now given the clearest indication of his plans.
In an interview with The Mirror, Terry said: “Initially it was a big decision for me to leave Chelsea and come to Villa but I have settled in very well and been welcomed.
“It is in my contract (to stay) if we go up, and fingers crossed and touch wood we do, then I will be staying another year.”
Villa round off their league campaign away at Millwall on Sunday, before facing the first leg of a play-off semi-final on Saturday week.
It is understood Villa have not ruled out keeping Terry, should they remain in the Championship next term.
But promotion would immediately make a deal more viable for a club which has been forced to work under Financial Fair Play restraints.
Boss Steve Bruce has previously expressed a willingness to offer Terry a place on his coaching staff. A deal which would see the centre-back take up a player-coach role is a possibility.