BBC Sport pundit cannot bring himself to think about Aston Villa development, ‘Can you imagine?’
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 Aston Villa topping the Premier League would be up there with the greatest things he has seen in football.
The Villans have won three top-flight games in a row – against Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford – to find themselves one point off top spot.
Unai Emery’s side can climb above Liverpool and Arsenal should they beat bottom side Sheffield United at Villa Park on Friday (22 December).
With Liverpool and Arsenal then meeting at Anfield on Saturday (23 December), there is a chance Villa could be top of the pile on Christmas Day.
Asked how he would feel seeing his former side lead the way, Hutton told Villa News: “Can you imagine? Let’s just review it in April.
“Over this Christmas period there’s so many games, so many twists and turns, so I don’t want to go too early with my prediction.
“If Villa do manage to go top of the league, it’ll be one of the best things I’ve ever seen. Honestly, it’d be up there with everything.
“The fans would go crazy. But let’s hold fire for now and see what happens over the winter period, then we can reassess it.”
In 10 of the last 14 seasons, the team number one on 25 December has gone on to lift the Premier League [Goal.com]
In fact, since the first season of the competition in 1992, it has happened exactly half the time across the 32 campaigns.
A laughing Hutton added: “If they win Friday night, they can stop the league there.”
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has made his prediction for the showdown between the Villans and Sheffield United.