Sheffield Wednesday want another Aston Villa full-back, this time Alan Hutton.
Almost 12 months ago, Joe Bennett was on the verge of signing for Sheffield Wednesday after being told by Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo that his opportunities would be limited at The Midlands club.
Yet, according to the Birmingham Mail, eccentric owner Dr Tony Xia stepped in at the eleventh hour to pull the plug on a deal that looked all but done. His explanation; he didn’t want to sell to a promotion rival.
In the end, Bennett joined mid-table Cardiff City instead and, for what it’s worth, Villa had no need to be concerned about Wednesday’s results. Carlos Carvalhal led The Owls into the play-offs while Villa finished all the way down in 13th.
Sheffield Wednesday were frustrated to miss out on Aston Villa’s Joe Bennett
But, flash forward to the present day, history could be about to repeat itself. The Sun (page 51, 4th July) claimed that Sheffield Wednesday were interested in making a move for experienced Villa right-back Alan Hutton as Carvalhal aims to reinforce a defence badly short on numbers.
“I am staying where I am,” he stated.
The Scotland international has flitted in and out of favour during his time at Aston Villa but, thanks in part to the disappointing displays of January signing James Bree and the season-ending injury suffered by Ritchie de Laet, has been the undisputed first-choice right-back ever since Steve Bruce took over in October.
Alan Hutton looks set to remain at Aston Villa
Therefore, it appears that Wednesday are set to miss out on another claret and blue full-back and Carvalhal will, once again, be forced to turn his attention away from Villa Park.
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