McLeish keeps faith in Hutton

Alan Hutton: Backed by McLeish to recover his best form at Villa

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is confident defender Alan Hutton can recover his top form at the Midlands club.

McLeish was reunited with the right-back in the summer having previously worked with him as manager at Rangers, where the Scotland international impressed as a youngster.

Hutton arrived at Villa from Tottenham in August following a disastrous end to his time at Spurs, during which he fell out of favour with manager Harry Redknapp and was ordered to train with the youth team.

Determined

The 26-year-old has struggled to make an impact at Villa Park so far but former Scotland boss McLeish is determined to get him back to his best.

"We want him to get back up to that top level and I'm sure he can do that here," the manager told the Birmingham Mail.

"I had Alan as a young player at Rangers, and like every young player they need to develop.

"There were a couple of things in his game that he ironed out at an early age and he broke through and became a consistent performer when Walter Smith came in.

"Having taken charge of the national team I was given the benefit of seeing him again on a regular basis.

"He was building a reputation for his bursting runs up and down the flank.

"He looked every bit an international player when he played against the French and the Italians. He was unstoppable.

"He had a really, really good spell that season and I want him to come and do that here."

Renewed

Hutton, who is expected to run out for Scotland when they take on Spain in Tuesday night's final Euro 2012 qualifier, says his move to the Midlands has renewed his enjoyment of the game.

"I'm loving my football again," said Hutton. "It's no use sitting at a club rotting and not doing anything. It wasn't doing anything for me or my international career.

"The manager (McLeish) wants me to do well for Scotland. He told me just to go and do what I do."