Aston Villa have told right-back Alan Hutton to look for a new club during the summer transfer window, according to the Football Insider.
The reliable outlet report that that Hutton, whose contract runs out this summer, will not be offered fresh terms following Aston Villa’s promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.
Hutton has been an excellent servant at Villa Park, making 202 appearances since joining Aston Villa from Tottenham in 2011, and the 34-year-old contributed to Dean Smith’s side promotion bid this term making 34 appearances, before suffering a hamstring injury in February which led to Ahmed Elmohamady claiming his place at right-back.
OPINION
Hutton’s departure will be a sad occasion at Villa Park, with the right-back coming back from a difficult start to his early Aston Villa career to become a vital member of the club’s squad for the last several campaigns. The 34-year-old was enjoying a decent season this term, and was a regular under Smith in his first few months in charge, before picking up a hamstring injury. That left his place in the side open and Elmohamady has stepped in capably and played a crucial role in the club’s excellent form in the last few months of the season, which saw Smith’s side go onto earn promotion back to the Premier League. That means that at the age of 34, Hutton is unlikely to force his way back into Villa’s first team next season, and it might be best for both parties, if the right-back goes onto find a new club who will give him regular game time as his career reaches its final stages. The 34-year-old though will be remembered fondly at Villa Park.