Hutton set for Young mission

Alan Hutton: All set for showdown against former Villa favourite Ashley Young

Alan Hutton insists he will be fully focused on his job when Ashley Young returns to Villa Park in a Manchester United shirt.

Young is making his first appearance at his former club following his summer exit, and Villa defender Hutton only has thoughts of trying to stop the tricky winger.

The 27-year-old admits he's had a tough time of late after attempting to combat Gareth Bale for Alex McLeish's side, while earlier in the season, the Scotland international went toe-to-toe with Brazil's wonderkid Neymar and then Spain's David Villa.

Hutton regards the England midfielder in the same class as Neymar and Villa, telling The Sun: "I suspect I'm going to walk off the pitch mentally and physically shattered.

"I've played against Ashley before and he's one of those wingers who can give you real problems. I'll have to be at my very best to contain him.

"He's right up there with the best wingers in the world.

"He's established himself as a first choice for England which is no easy thing. Ashley has the lot now, every attribute a world-class winger needs. He has pace to burn, he can cross, he can take defenders on, so it's going to be a difficult evening.

"But these are the big games you want to play in to show what you can do.

"Mentally, 90 minutes is a long time to be responsible for covering such a gifted player.

"It's not just a case of matching him physically, stride for stride and covering the same amount of ground as he does.

"You are constantly thinking about him and being aware of where he is and what he's doing at any given time."

Concentration

The right-back expects a demanding game when he goes up against Young and is adamant that he won't be giving him an inch of space.

"It's full-on concentration for 90 minutes plus injury time and it's demanding. You might only switch off once and let him in behind you. But that could turn out to be the match-winning moment which separates the teams.

"If I do my job properly I expect to be shattered at the end of 90 minutes. But if I have good game Ashley will come off the park mentally and physically drained, too, because he hasn't found a way to get past me.

"That's the aim anyway. I love going forward and I'd like to think I could get Ashley on his heels, chasing me back. But I also realise, as a full-back, my first duty is to defend and win my own personal battles."