Alan Hutton is something of a cult hero at Villa Park. The Villains will always love the Scottish right-back, and his goal against Birmingham earlier in the season only went further to nail on his status as a hero. However, as the Scottish Cafu has returned to fitness, a lot of Villains are calling for him to stay benched given their recent results.
ICYMI: Hutts is back on the grass #MondayMotivation #AVFC pic.twitter.com/zrhJi4gi3a
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) 8 April 2019
Hutton will be fine with taking his place on the bench, that much is guaranteed. The experienced full-back is Villa through and through and has been through thick and thin with the club in his eight years since signing from Spurs in 2011. However, whilst they love him now and appreciate his loyalty, there’s no way they’re prepared to drop Ahmed Elmohamady given the form of the right-back.
The Egyptian has made the right-back spot his own in the last few weeks, and with Dean Smith masterminding a six-game winning streak, there’s no way that the Villa Park boss could justify making an unprecedented change like dropping Elmo for Hutton tomorrow. Rotherham are the opponents at the New York City Stadium, and whilst it won’t be easy, the fans will back themselves so long as Elmohamady keeps his place.
You can read the Villains’ thoughts on Hutton’s return here:
https://twitter.com/JordAvfc/status/1115260855992627200
Fairplay to you hutts, gonna be a real struggle for you to get back in the team, but nothing wrong with competetion at the right end of season can only help keep a few on there toes
— Nathan (@Nathan08476822) April 8, 2019
Do we need him right now though?
— swingey (@dane_swingewood) 8 April 2019
At the expense of who?? Sorry he doesn’t get to just walk back in the side again because he’s fit
— mjolnir_mar_emery (@76maulz) 8 April 2019
Elmo is better
— oli (@AVOliii) 8 April 2019
https://twitter.com/Rick_avfc1/status/1115285216904531969
Don't start him Smith. We have won every game since he got injured. He's the bad luck guy. He's a pro and gives 100 percent but he somehow unbalances the side. Don't jinx the promotion run
— John roberts (@Astonwilliam) April 8, 2019
The Villains are desperate for Hutton to stay benched, and whilst he’ll be a nice option for rotation in the final run-in, he shouldn’t be thrown in ahead of the in-form Elmo.
