BBC pundit shares Aston Villa fans admission ahead of clash v Tottenham
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 admits expectations among Aston Villa fans have always been high but it’s “amazing” to see the club finally meeting them.
Aston Villa head to North London to play Tottenham on Sunday (26 November). If Unai Emery’s side wins that game, they’ll move up to at least fourth place.
Villa’s form has been tremendous and while Hutton believes the trip to Spurs will be a big test for Emery and his squad, he’s happy for the fans who went through such a hard time when he was at the club when they were relegated to the Championship.
“I think there’s this sense among the fans where they expect the team to do well,” Hutton told Villa News.
“In previous years, they’ve not quite hit the heights – trust me, I’ve been there.
“But they’ve felt like something is building and with the players they brought in over the summer, they’d probably have expected them.
“Fans will be running with it and they’ll know it’ll be difficult [against Tottenham] but it’s amazing times at Villa Park right now.
“They’ve deserved it for sticking through thick and thin in the Championship. It’s been really good.”
Spurs have lost their last two games in the Premier League with Ange Postecoglou’s side currently suffering with a number of injuries and suspensions to key first-team players.
Villa, on the other hand, have an almost fully fit squad after the international break.
The Villans won both games against Spurs last season, winning 2-0 away at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on New Year’s Day thanks to goals by Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz.
In other Aston Villa news, it is “done” for this central midfielder to quit Villa Park with a permanent transfer deal already agreed.