The Aston Villa defender has been in resurgent form this season and could yet occupy another position on the field.
Following the news that Aston Villa centre-back John Terry has broken a metatarsal in his right foot, the club will need to utilise their other defensive options as they continue their promotion push, with the former England international expected to be out for up to 12 weeks. So what chance another change of position for the resurgent Alan Hutton?
We are not expecting the Scotland international to step straight into the heart of Villa’s defence in place of Terry, with Chris Samba tipped to do that directly after the international break and the previously overlooked Tommy Elphick also an option.
However, if manager Steve Bruce opts not to recall the latter, and with matches coming thick and fast over the Christmas and New Year period, Hutton could be tasked to do a job, especially with Samba expected to struggle to perform every few days.
Once a figure of fun at Villa Park, Hutton has proved his worth in emphatic fashion during Neil Taylor’s suspension, replacing the Welsh international on the left side of defence and keeping his place even when the latter became available once more.
Bruce now has two worthy options at left-back, but he could also use Hutton in the centre when required.
It would be a brave move, but it worked on the left and the 32-year-old has played in the middle before, albeit rarely, so Villa could have an unlikely saviour as they bid to continue their promotion surge without their influential skipper.
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