Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has revealed his utter heartbreak following the club’s failure to make it back into the Premier League on Saturday after they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Fulham.
There had been much speculation from Villa manager Steve Bruce himself who in February appeared to suggest in The Scottish Sun that the 33-year-old Scot would not be given a new deal at Villa Park when his contract expired in the summer.
However, in a huge u-turn from the boss, he revealed that talks would begin regardless of the play off final result, and as quoted in the Birmingham Mail, he said: “I can confirm to you now we will be talking to him next week, whichever division we are in. He deserves it.”
And it looks as though the Villans will need to keep hold of players like the stalwart with the club’s future now shrouded in doubt with Financial Fair Play regulations and a drop in the parachute payments set to kick in.
Writing on his personal Instagram account, Hutton said: “Still struggling to come to terms with the game on Saturday, really disappointed we couldn’t get over the line for everyone involved with the club.
“A massive thank you to the fans for the amazing support, it’s been incredible all season long.
“I just (pray) we can keep this amazing group of lads together as I know we can get back to the Premier League.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjWkJ0XnWvQ/?hl=en&taken-by=hutton02
OPINION
It is looking bleak for Villa at the moment with the financial constraints set to hinder any plans they might have had previously to improve their squad, they might be looking at making cut-backs instead. However, this makes Bruce’s previous claim stranger all the more, given that they could not afford to give Hutton a new contract back in the winter but they can now. Nevertheless, he is a stalwart and an experienced head and with the likes of John Terry set to exit, the club will need all the know-how they can get if they are going to get anywhere near the heights they managed in 2017/18. Whether or not this will please the Villa Park faithful is anyone’s guessing as the Glasgow born defender was slated by supporters for his performance in the play off final. One thing is certain though, and that is that is is going to be a tough transfer window for the Claret and Blues.