Steve Bruce pushing for new Aston Villa deal for Alan Hutton

Steve Bruce will push for Alan Hutton to be offered a new contract at Villa - regardless of which division the club are playing in next season.

Hutton is out of contract in the summer and Bruce has previously indicated his future at Villa Park depended on the club regaining Premier League status.

But with the 33-year-old having put in a string of impressive performances, Bruce will attempt to convince owner Tony Xia the Scot is worthy of a new deal, even if the club remain in the Championship.

“I’ve continued to say this about Alan Hutton. He is everything I enjoy about a player,” said Bruce.

“He goes home, is one of the first in, and you can see his fitness levels at 33 are quite remarkable.

“He’s been terrific since I’ve been here.

“If I get my way there will certainly be a contract offered to him.”

Hutton will again be tasked with man-marking Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore with Villa protecting a 1-0 lead in Tuesday’s play-off semi-final second-leg.

Ahmed Elmohamady (hamstring) is Villa’s only major concern, with James Bree set to deputise at right-back should the Egyptian international not be available.