Hutton blasts Aston Villa stars after source’s ‘huge’ Smith update
Alan Hutton has blasted the lack of intensity from the Aston Villa squad with Dean Smith’s future under consideration.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa defender admitted his old side did not work hard enough in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Friday.
As revealed by Football Insider (22nd October), Smith is under “huge” pressure from club chiefs after a disappointing start to the season.
The Midlands giants sit 13th in the table after a summer of big spending.
Chief executive and owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris are fiercely ambitious.
They believe a top-six spot is achievable after finishing 11th last season.
Hutton insisted Smith had managed to turn things around after a slow start to the current campaign.
However, he admitted the lack of “industry” in recent games will be a major concern.
Asked what the biggest worry for Smith will be, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He obviously changed the shape. They went to three at the back and it did work, it looked good.
“All the players were getting on the front foot. They were intense in everything they were doing, they were closing down, doing the hard yards making it difficult for teams.
“They have fallen away from that a little bit. Against Arsenal, they were far too easy to play against. They were open, they weren’t closing down as a team, they weren’t harrying people.
“That’s maybe where they’re at the moment. The expectations have been that high that they’ve gone backwards from what made them a good team. It was the industry, the working hard, getting about people.
“That’s what the foundation was built off of. They need to get back to basics, for me. I know Dean Smith changed the formation at halftime and it was better but they were way off it at the Emirates.”
In other news, Aston Villa plan to accept £18m offer for regular starter.