Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has been praising Anwar El Ghazi for his recent performances at the Midlands club through the December period.

What Hutton had to say about El Ghazi

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton said: "I’ve played with him and played against him. In training, he can be unstoppable. In games, I’m watching him thinking, do that, take them on, go forward. You’re urging him to do it because you know he can do it.

There’s been question marks hanging over him for a while now, he’s been getting a bit of stick from fans. But I think he showed what kind of character he is in the Wolves game when he stepped up for the penalty. That’s where it’s turned for him. He’s definitely a confidence player. He’s the type of guy that sometimes needs the arm around him, and that’s just his personality, that’s the way he is.

In his recent form, he’s been absolutely outstanding. I hope he keeps with it because there’s no reason he can’t. He’s got five in five, he’s playing in a strong team, they’re attacking, they’re going forward, and they are playing to his strengths. So I think he can keep it up as long as he wants to."

The winger has turned things around at Villa

It has been a remarkable turnaround for El Ghazi, who has scored five goals in his eight Premier League appearances so far this season (Transfermarkt). These goals have come in his last six games and before the first of these in December, the attacker hadn't scored in the division since January 12th 2020.

El Ghazi has been a great attacking threat and has been a handful for defences as he has managed an average of three shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.9 successful dribbles per game (WhoScored).

It truly is magnificent to see how much a goal can help a player's form and confidence, and it is understandable to see why Hutton praises El Ghazi's play so much following his recent run of form.

In other news, two defenders could leave Aston Villa in 2021, find out more here!