Former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has claimed that the signing of John Terry shows "intent".
The defender ended his 22-year spell at Chelsea at the end of last season and is believed to have received numerous offers.
Rather than move abroad or to another Premier League club, Terry opted to sign a one-year deal at Aston Villa.
"I think John Terry could still play in the Premier League, but he has chosen to go to arguably the biggest club in the Championship," Sherwood told talkSPORT.
"I think it is a great move for both John Terry and Aston Villa. They are certainly showing their intent with the signing of John Terry because they are not looking to the future - it is immediate success they want.
"They want promotion this season and John Terry will help them out immensely in that regard. This signing is so big. He will lift everyone. I wish in my time at Villa there was a John Terry coming to the end of his career at a big club like Chelsea because I would have snapped their hands off."
Chelsea made 700 appearances and won 15 trophies at Chelsea.