Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton's knee injury that forced him off in the weekend draw against Stoke will not keep him out for the rest of the season.

That was the initial fear after the Scotsman went down with a knee complaint after just a few minutes at the Bet365 Stadium.

With the 34-year-old out of contract in the summer, it also prompted concern that he had played his last game for the club.

However, an update from Express & Star journalist Matt Maher revealed that Hutton is expected to play again this season and it will be a major relief for the player.

The ex-Rangers man joined Villa in 2011 and whilst he had some loan spells away from the club and endured a mixed first few years, he has now established himself as a fan favourite.

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Supporters took to the passion he showed on the pitch and his drive and determination from full-back.

And, he will always be remembered positively for scoring a wonderful individual goal against Birmingham in the big derby game earlier this season.

Dean Smith is unlikely to renew the player's contract in the summer as he looks to bring down the average age in the squad, so to have his Villa career end like that would have been a real shame for Hutton.

Even though it's looking unlikely to be the fairy-tale ending that the right-back would've hoped in helping Villa to promotion, he can still have a proper send-off now.

That's what Hutton deserves and the fans will surely show their appreciation in the coming months for a player who has been one of very few bright spots at the club over recent years.