The Aston Villa defender is now one of the first names on the team sheet.
Earlier this season it seemed Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton was heading for the exit after falling out of favour, only for Neil Taylor’s three-match suspension to offer the right-back the chance for redemption on the opposite flank.
It was a chance Hutton took with both hands and it is now hard to envisage Villa kicking off without the 32-year-old in the starting XI.
The full-back returned to his natural position on Tuesday evening, replacing the previously immovable Ahmed Elmohamady in Villa’s starting XI, and the Scot delivered yet another outstanding performance.
Villa need all their experienced players performing in the months ahead, with promotion back to the top flight a distinct possibility if they continue in their current form and get a little luck along the way.
Hutton will be vital to the cause and it is now clear that his return to form is permanent rather than an anomaly in an otherwise disappointing season.
The Villa veteran may have had to wait patiently for his chances, but it is now obvious to all that he remains an integral part of Bruce’s side and could make all the difference between now and May.
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