Villa News Speaking to Alan Hutton

Wed 20 December 2023 20:30, UK

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 finds it funny that he now expects Aston Villa to win every game they play and says they have fully confirmed their top-four credentials after starting to win away from home.

After memorable home wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in the space of three days, the Villans managed to grind out a 2-1 comeback win at Brentford on Sunday (17 December).

That victory lifted Villa into third in the Premier League, level on points with second-place Liverpool and only one point off leaders Arsenal.

While Villa fans will be dreaming of the most unexpected of title challenges, perhaps most pertinent of all at this point is that there is a five-point gap on fifth-place Tottenham.

Reflecting on a third successive league win for his former side, Hutton told Villa News: “It was workmanlike. After the Arsenal and Manchester City performances, it showed a different way of playing.

“They were brilliant against Man City and worked really hard against Arsenal. They worked their way back after going a goal down against Brentford, with the subs making a big impact.

“It’s funny because every time I see them play now I think ‘we’re going to win.’ That’s the biggest compliment you can give them.

“It’s especially true at home, but also away they work hard and stick to the fundamentals, doing exactly what the manager asks of them.

“More often than not they get a result. There was a bit of needle in the game; it looked tough at times.

“But to be in that top four bracket, you need to win away games and that’s what they’re starting to do. So yeah, it was a good game and a good performance.”

In other Aston Villa news, a 92-per-cent player must now make sure he seizes his opportunity after what Unai Emery said about him.