Hutton questions Jaden sale

FORMER Aston Villa and Tottenham right-back Alan Hutton says Unai Emery was wrong to allow Jaden Philogene to leave Villa Park last summer and join Hull City, and believes another of his old clubs, Tottenham, should swoop in.

The Tigers captured the 22-year-old winger for a fee in the region of £5m and the exciting youngster has delivered a string of impressive displays in City’s surge towards the Championship play-offs, bagging eight goals and six assists.

Philogene has also been called up to England’s Under-21 squad and scored on his debut in the stunning 9-1 win over Serbia at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground in October.

Owing to Philogene’s form this season, speculation has been rife about what could happen in the summer irrespective of whether or not the Tigers win promotion. Should Liam Rosenior’s men earn promotion then Villa would have the option to bring the flying wingman back to Villa Park for £15m, but City would also be able to listen to higher offers from elsewhere.

Hutton, however, feels Villa made the wrong call in allowing Philogene to leave.

“I think you need to look at young and experienced players,” Hutton told Football Insider. “There has to be a balance. He ticks a lot of boxes and I don’t think Villa should have let him go. His performances have been outstanding, absolutely amazing, so they can look to the future.

“To bring in a young and hungry player who works hard and has the technical ability to fit into their way of thinking is good moving forward. But you need to add that quality right now. It’s about getting that mixture right.”