Steve Bruce revealed that Alan Hutton will be offered a new Aston Villa contract if the club is promoted to the Premier League.
The right-back has made 23 appearances in the Championship so far this season to help the Villans sit second in the table, and is currently playing at left-back to cover the absence of Neil Taylor.
Hutton’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Bruce chose to provide an update on the player’s future at the club ahead of playing Fulham on Saturday.
“If we get promoted I will offer him a new contract,” said Bruce, as quoted the Birmingham Mail.
“It’s pretty straightforward, it gives me all sorts of options if we get promoted.
“But we can’t have those conversations until we know where we are.
“It is what I have said to Alan and he appreciated the truth.”
The 33-year-old previously looked likely to leave the club in the summer when his current deal expires, as Bruce had previously told the Birmingham Mail that the club “were not in a position to offer anybody a new contract” due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
Hutton has been at Aston Villa since 2011 and has made 159 appearances for the club during his seven-year spell with them.
However despite being at the club long time, the Birmingham Mail claim that the defender has only recently become a fan favourite as supporters have been impressed by his never-say-die attitude.
OPINION
This is exciting news for Aston Villa supporters even if Hutton is 33-years-old, as the defender has proven himself to be a worthwhile member of the squad this season. Hutton deserves credit for keeping his head down and working hard after his manager publicly suggested that he was unlikely to get a new contract, and his hard-work is no doubt set to be rewarded. The right-back looks likely to get a new contract in the summer, as the Villans currently sit in the automatic promotion places after winning their last seven games in a row. The right-back will no doubt be keen to stay at the club, especially with them in the Premier League, as it could be his last opportunity to play top-flight football once again.