Steve Bruce has revealed that Alan Hutton has earned himself another season at Aston Villa.
According to a report in the Birmingham Mail after meeting an appearance target, believed to be 25 matches, the full-back is able to activate a 12 month option on his current deal.
Whether Hutton chooses to exercise that option or not remains to be seen with the Scotland defender now in his sixth year at Villa Park.
During that time he has been out on loan at Bolton, Nottingham Forest and Real Mallorca but is now the undisputed first choice right-back despite the January signing of James Bree from Barnsley.
At 32 years of age Bruce is confident that Hutton has a part to play in taking Villa back to the Premier League- and is still capable of playing at that level.
Hutton made his 26th appearance of the season in the 2-0 midweek win over Bristol City.