Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce hopes to keep hold of Alan Hutton next season.

The versatile Scottish full-back, 33, is out of contract at Villa Park this summer.

Bruce has done a U-turn and pledged to keep the star who was told in January he could go.

Hutton is desperate to stay but the delay in talks has alerted other clubs.

Bruce said: “I can confirm we will be talking to him next week, whichever division we are in.

“He deserves it. Playing left back has probably enhanced him a bit. It's slowed him down a bit, he has to come back on his right foot to play.

“He is everything that I enjoy in a player. He gives you everything he's got. At nearly 34 years old he is quite magnificent in terms of his fitness."