Aston Villa hand Alan Hutton a new contract
Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has completed an astonishing u-turn with the club by signing a new three-year contract.
The 29-year-old has become a first-team fixture again this season, after being brought back in from the cold by manager Paul Lambert.
Hutton, who had a season left to run on a four-year contract worth £40,000 a week, had appeared to have no future at Villa Park.
The right-back had been shunned by Lambert for two years until this campaign began and was loaned out to Nottingham Forest, Real Mallorca and Bolton Wanderers.
He said: "Like everybody else here, I've always trained hard so I've been able to come back strong this season and the benefits of that have been excellent for me.
"I kept my head down, worked hard, came in every day and it's paid off. Now I just want to go on and take this opportunity given me by the manager.
"We've made a really strong start to the season and we want to continue in the same vein.
"The squad has depth and a great mix of youth and experience which should stand us in good stead over the rest of the season."
Boss Lambert added: "You know exactly what you will get from Alan, he's an excellent professional.
"He's made an excellent start to the season for us, helping to drive the defence and adding his experience to the mix.
"The way he's played, he's made a big contribution to the great start we have made, as have all of the players.
"It's a squad game and you need that level of focus and commitment from everyone in the group."