The Villans are in the Championship’s playoff places.
Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has given his verdict on what he feels the team is doing more of now than they did earlier in the Championship season – and what they need to improve on further.
The West Midlanders are the division’s in-form team, with a massive eight league wins in a row having elevated them into playoff contention over the past few weeks.
Prior to that, Villa flattered to deceive at times, often looking like they could launch a surge into the top-six but with the odd mediocre performance and result keeping them from doing so.
Indeed, after the last game that Dean Smith’s side failed to win – the 1-1 draw at Stoke City in February – the team was 11th in the table and eight points off the top six (BBC Sport).
Speaking to the official Villa website, Hutton was asked about the one quality he thinks the team needs to achieve promotion, and his answer was rather clear.
“I think ruthlessness is the word for me,” said the 34-year-old. “It’s about finishing teams off when we’re on top of them.
“We’ve had periods early on in the season where we didn’t do that. We need to do that quicker, especially now in the latter part of the season. I think that could really help us.”
Hutton, the club’s vice captain, has made 32 Championship appearances this season, but has not featured since the Potters draw, according to Transfermarkt.
Villa are back in action on Good Friday with a trip to Bolton Wanderers, and on Easter Monday they host Millwall at Villa Park.
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