Former Chelsea captain John Terry has explained why he left Aston Villa last year.

Now working within Chelsea's academy, Terry left Villa as assistant manager last year.

Terry, responding to a question asking for the 'real' reason for his departure from Villa, wrote on social media: "I wanted to spend some time with my family, my kids are 15 and going into their GCSEs and I was never here for them.

"I traveled up and down the motorway or stayed in hotels away from my family, giving everything I had to Villa.

"I am ready to go into management and had been approached while I was at Villa, but those jobs weren't right for me.

"I was always honest with the gaffer and I did not want to start the season and leave if a job came up.

"I loved my time at Villa and (I am) so thankful to the gaffer and Christian (Purslow) for giving me the opportunity."