The remarkable turnaround of Alan Hutton: From Aston Villa outcast to the Scottish Cafu
It is three years to the week since Alan Hutton, otherwise known as the Scottish Cafu, scored the goal of a lifetime in the Second City Derby and sent a mesmerised Holte End into dreamland at Aston Villa.
His picture-perfect finish and celebration in front of Villa’s jubilant home fans was a just finish to Scot’s tenure in Claret and Blue, following several years of adversity and disappointment.
The road which Hutton trod to achieve his ultimately deserved cult hero status is the epitome of a never give up attitude and highlights a player who will be remembered by fans for years to come.
After arriving at Villa Park in 2011 under former Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish, the right-back set about his work in bullish fashion – picking up cards like monopoly properties – and struggling to make an impression as the club finished just two points above the relegation zone.
McLeish was seemingly never-trusted at B6 due to his previous association with arch-rivals Birmingham City and was replaced with Paul Lambert in 2012, who had no place for Hutton in his plans and made his intentions clear from the outset.
The defender was part of the famously labelled ‘bomb squad’, including Shay Given, Stephen Ireland and Darren Bent who were ostracised from the first team, with the defender sent packing on loan spells to Nottingham Forest and Real Mallorca.
Following these semi-successful loan spells, Hutton was recalled to Villa as Lambert made a dramatic u-turn and reinstated the ‘bomb squad’ following another campaign that left them languishing too close to the relegation zone.
However, if Hutton hoped this would lead to a change in his fortunes, he was bitterly mistaken.
Another relegation-threatened season was followed by the torturous 2016/17 campaign, of which you only need to know three small pieces of information: Villa finished rock bottom, they won a mere sixteen points, and Remi Garde came and went in just five months.
And yes Hutton was an ever-present part of what was possibly the most disastrous season the club has ever witnessed.
From this position, you wouldn’t blame Hutton to call it quits at Villa after an utterly dire few years at the Premier League club – but his stubborn determination during the club’s stint in the Championship started to repair his previously fractious relationship with the fans.
After the club’s failed attempts to win the play-off final in 2018, Hutton found himself out of contract and could either have left the club and earnt a bigger wage – but he instead decided to stay and take a slash on his earnings.
This decision seemed to spark a newfound youthful exuberance into the Scot’s performances in Claret and Blue and he would soon find himself endeared by fans and pundits alike.
His remarkable turnaround was kickstarted by his brilliant solo goal on the opening day of the 2018 season against Hull City. His mazy dribble and pin-point finish was a catalyst for Villa’s bright start to the season, and subsequent performances made him a key figure during Steve Bruce’s tenure.
This moment of magic was made to look like mere child’s play when compared to his crowning moment in November 2018, which confirmed his position in fans’ hearts as the Scottish Cafu.
Villa and Hutton turned the style on in their 4-2 victory over bitter rivals Birmingham City under new manager Dean Smith, but the match was capped off by the right-backs ludicrous goal in the second half.
As the game entered its final stages, and the home side led a tense encounter 3-2, Hutton picked up the ball in his own half and set off like a racehorse.
He ghosted past Birmingham’s backline as though they weren’t there – in his best Diego Maradona impersonation – before stroking the ball into the corner of Lee Camp’s net with his left foot.
Hurling himself into the Holte End, the Claret and Blue faithful finally embraced him as one of their own. The Scottish Cafu lived up to his Brazilian counterpart for one day only – but only when it was really needed.
From ‘bomb squad’ to Holte End hero – Alan Hutton’s journey at Villa Park was by no means boring.
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