Alan Hutton: Formation not players is the issue at Aston Villa
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton believes that Steven Gerrard’s defensive issues at Aston Villa are to do with the formation rather than the players he has available to him.
Villa got the signing of Southampton defender Jan Bednarek over the line on deadline day as the Villa boss found some much-needed cover for Diego Carlos.
Hutton feels he is a solid player but is more concerned about Villa’s full-backs pushing high up the field and leaving gaps in the defence.
“He is a solid player who knows the league, who is aggressive and wants to go and win the ball but for me, it’s more of a team thing,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“You have two attacking full-backs who play high up the pitch to give you that width so sometimes you are leaving a lot of spaces at the back.
“So in the games coming up that they have to win maybe try and be a little bit more defensive, and have that solid base to build from.”
The Villa boss has seen his faith in his formation restored in their last two Premier League fixtures, with just one goal conceded against Manchester City and Southampton and four points added to their total.
The Villans now have a break before their next fixture away at Leeds United with the pressure very much relieved on Gerrard after their recent good form.
In other Aston Villa news, this breakout star of the season so far has to be the first name on Gerrard’s teamsheet against the Saints.