It was a surprise to some when Lee Johnson decided to bring Ashley Williams to Ashton Gate in August, with the 35-year-old having higher experience at a higher level.

Once the defender had been able to get up to match fitness within training, he was thrown into the heart of defence as Adam Webster's replacement, who left on the eve of the season for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

The vastly experienced centre-back has settled in to Bristol life well, and here are three words that sum up the defender's season so far at Ashton Gate...

Consistent

While he has had to deal with forming partnerships at the back, Williams has been the one mainstay at the heart of the Robins defence this season.

He has partnered Tomas Kalas, Nathan Baker and Taylor Moore this campaign as he has had to get used to the players he has been playing with, but no matter what the changes have been around him, he has been as consistent as ever.

He has worn his heart on his sleeve as he has won every ball in the air and thrown himself into blocking shots on goal, as his performance levels have never dropped for the club.

Leader

Despite having not worn the captain's armband for the club, the Wales skipper and former Swansea City captain has led by example as he has marshalled the troops and got the players going when times have appeared difficult.

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He can always be seen pointing around at his team-mates, instructing them on where they need to position themselves on the pitch, and he has fought for the Bristol City cause by having the heart of a lion at the centre of the defence.

He has been a leader that City have missed in defence for a few years now, and while he may not be captain by name, he has certainly been captain by nature.

Warrior

As can be expected from any defender playing under Lee Johnson at Bristol City, Williams has been a warrior during his first few months at the club.

He has thrown himself into every challenge as if his life depends on it, and he is never scared to back out of a 50-50 despite the defender's potential of being beaten for pace.

Williams knows what it takes to compete regularly at Championship level, and he is doing just that as he competes for every ball that comes near him.