Barry Bannan bemused by Alan Hutton's treatment at Aston VillaFormer Aston Villa midfielder, now with Crystal Palace, is at a loss as to why his former team-mate has been frozen out by Paul Lambert Former Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan believes that there are grounds for a 'Hutton Inquiry' at Villa Park into the mystery surrounding the treatment of full-back Alan Hutton, whose last appearance for the Midlands club was 18 months ago.The 28-year-old has been ostracised by manager Paul Lambert since his arrival in the summer of 2012. Between August and October of last year his only competitive games were for Scotland. He was then sent out on loan, at first to Nottingham Forest and then Real Mallorca.Villa refused to allow the player to return to Spain this season and he has been forced to train with the club’s youth team. In spite of that, the four appearances Hutton has made for the national team during the current campaign have been hailed by manager Gordon Strachan as the best of his international career.Bannan, now with Crystal Palace, is at a loss as to why he has been frozen out by Lambert.“He’s been brilliant,” he said. “I found it tough fitness-wise playing for Scotland when I wasn’t involved with my club. “When he’s played, I think his performances have been unbelieveable. I can’t remember the last time he had a club game but his fitness levels have been amazing.”Stoke City playmaker Charlie Adam, appearing on Sky Sports’ The Fantasy Football Club programme last weekend, named Hutton as one of the best 11 players he has appeared alongside and claimed that he was the best right-back Villa have at their disposal.“I’d agree [with that assessment] but I don’t know all the ins and outs of what is going on there. I’d say he’s been brilliant with Scotland. It’s mad, really: if you are not involved with your club and you come away here and put in those performances you’d think other clubs would see that.“I’m amazed he’s not had a move. When we played against England at Wembley in August I thought he was terrific and I was sure someone would have watched that and a move would come off.“However, it will surely happen for him in January as his form with Scotland has been tremendous.”
Has to be personal between lambert & Hutton.
Now, I'm no Columbo, but my guess is that being fucking useless at PL level despite numerous oppotunities to prove otherwise has contributed to his absence. A lawyer for the prosecution could bore the tears out of the jury with video evidence of his continued and repetitive gashness in a Villa shirt, in addition to testimony from wingers who have been molested and abused with the football nowhere in sight.