Right back, well often left back, Alan Hutton has this afternoon signed a one-year extension at Aston Villa keeping him with us for the coming Championship campaign of 2018/19.
With manager Steve Bruce saying he’d earned and would be offered a new deal with his contract expiring this summer, our financial issues seemed to get in the way of that as we put a few things on hold – including his meeting apparently – as we placed our focus on putting out a few fires.
✍️ We're delighted to confirm that Alan Hutton has agreed a new contract with the club.
Congratulations, Hutts! 👊#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/j3vyM6qOIn
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 14, 2018
With constant links to Nottingham Forest in recent days, and the dopey Released List submitted to the EFL, Hutton himself took to social media to point out he hadn’t actually left yet.
Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2011 he’s almost racked up 170 appearances for us in that time and one thing you can rarely fault is his effort so this is richly deserved for his own efforts last season as we fell narrowly short of our self-stated aim to return to the Premier League.
🗣 "They make me feel so special. They're a huge part of the reason I wanted to stay."
You played your part Villans! See Hutts' full interview 👉 https://t.co/9z2InICeOE#PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/rK6mfKV2VQ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 14, 2018
Who would have thought 3 years ago that Hutton would become a beloved player
— Joe (@HamboJoe) 14 June 2018
I wouldn't say that. We have sunk very low but he seems to be the only player that really gives it 100% every week.
— Joe (@HamboJoe) 14 June 2018
Resurrect the boys flag ???? pic.twitter.com/kSDEqssQF8
— Scott Eustace (@scott_e365) 14 June 2018
Outstanding ????????????
— Declan Pierce (@DecPierce) 14 June 2018
Dadada dadada dadada dadadadada
— ???? (@ObreyMalachi) 14 June 2018
GET IN SCOTTISH CAFU FOR LIFE BOYS
— jack (@jack_jack_45) 14 June 2018
As others pointed out, I think we can safely assume this means that Steve Bruce remains in place for the coming year as well as we look to go one better despite our other issues. Hopefully, it’s also a sign those other issues are back under control.
Further credit to Hutton, it’s also being suggested he took a significant pay cut to help get the deal over the line given how he and his family are settled in the area. Extremely good touch if true and I have no reason to doubt it, as clearly he wanted to stay. Hit interview points that out.