Alan Hutton: Four points the minimum for Aston Villa from next to Premier League fixtures
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 feels that Aston Villa must pick up a minimum of four points from their next two Premier League fixtures against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
Steven Gerrard has seen the pressure ease in recent weeks after a point against Manchester City and a win over Southampton in their last outing.
Despite their next two fixtures being away from home, Hutton believes that six points needs to be the goal for Gerrard’s side.
“He has to get results, when you look at the managers that have already gone, Thomas Tuchel for example, you have to win games,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“After the Nottingham Forest game they then play Chelsea which will be a tough test but the next two matches, although they’re away from home have to be targetted.
“They’re going to be looking for six points with four being the bare minimum from the next two fixtures, they’ll be looking to go on a run and build that momentum going forward.
“You don’t want to get into a rut of winning one then losing one, you want to go on a winning run because they want to climb up the table with aspirations of finishing top half and eventually competing for the European spot.
“They’ve definitely go the quality to go on a winning run after what has been a tough start.”
Villa now face a slightly easier run of fixtures, with only one of the current top six in their next six matches. A win in their next match at Elland Road could take them into the top half of the table.
Gerrard is currently facing an injury crisis with Diego Carlos joined on the sidelines by Matty Cash, Lucas Digne and Boubacar Kamara.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa Park is among the favourites to be named as a Euro 2028 venue