Aston Villa fans are all very grateful for the service that Alan Hutton has given them over the years. The experienced Scottish full-back will have been with the Villains for eight full seasons when his contract expires this summer. However, after fearing a potentially season-ending knee injury, a testimonial has been suggested for the 34-year-old.
#avfc fans, does Alan Hutton deserve a testimonial? pic.twitter.com/zT5iUJ8CTn
— villareport (@villareport) February 26, 2019
Hutton may have scored a wonder-goal against Birmingham and been a loyal servant at Villa Park for a number of years, but calls for a testimonial are unfounded. The Villains failed to give Gabby Agbonlahor a farewell friendly after he came through their academy, became their record Premier League goalscorer, stayed with them his entire career barring loans and offered to play for free when his contract expired.
So to think that after all that with Agbonlahor that Hutton would get a testimonial despite his role in the club’s infamous ‘bombs squad’ that dropped out of the Premier League with a grand total of just 17 points, the 3rd lowest ever recorded by a Premier League side in a single-season behind only that awful Derby side and Sunderland of in 2005/06. So to think that a player who was a key figure in the Premier League’s 3rd worst ever side deserves a testimonial certainly is a strange thought.
You can read the Villains’ verdict on whether Hutton deserves a testimonial here:
No…move along.
— Oakley Doakley (@Gazoaks) February 26, 2019
AH hasn't been here 10 years,even if he was here for 10+ years,there would be little justification for him to have a testimonial.While AH's attitude/commitment deserve praise,he is a fine example of our sad decline into mediocrity… #avfc
— Sean O'Grady 💜💙🦁 (@villafanalways) February 26, 2019
No. Always gave his best, never lost heart even during the bomb squad days, and scored an unbelievable goal against Blues.
But on the whole, not exactly an amazing player, often a bit of a liability in fact, and just doesn't have that status. Thank you Alan, but no testimonial.
— Ben (@ThatMetalNessie) February 26, 2019
I mean, Gabby Agbonlahor didn't get one after coming through our academy, playing his entire career (bar loans) at Villa Park, being the bane of the Blues and becoming our record Premier League goalscorer in the process.
— Ben (@ThatMetalNessie) February 26, 2019
Not a chance, shouldn’t even be a question, he’s been here nearly 8 years and probably had about one full seasons worth of okay games
— Jordan (@Jord_AV1) February 26, 2019
No way he gets paid to play and only really done anything last year probably his best season at Villa.
— andy (@andy59967602) February 26, 2019
His entire career has been a testimonial – while I recognise he tries hard – he does it in the wrong places. He is a defender who dreams of being a winger – his time in a Villa shirt coincides with our decline a touch too well. Farewell and good luck.
— Son Lyme (@Son_Lyme) February 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/Dan_Blunt_/status/1100380479868538880
No. Why reward mediocrity.
— Rob the Rifle (@rob_the_rifle) February 26, 2019
The Villains are seem to feel strongly against a Hutton testimonial and who can blame them when you look at what he’ achieved in his career at the club, even if he is adored in Birmingham.
