Andrew Robertson and West Ham star react as Alan Hutton leaves Aston Villa

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Alan Hutton has posted on Instagram after he was one of eight Aston Villa stars to be released following the club’s promotion to the Premier League, which prompted reaction from Liverpool and West Ham stars.

Villa have decided to cut the wage bill by offloading the players that are in the final weeks of their contract. Mile Jedinak, Glenn Whelan, Mark Bunn, Albert Adomah, Tommy Elphick, Micah Richards and Ritchie De Laet have all departed, along with Hutton.

Ross McCormack has since been released after the two clubs came to an agreement to get rid of the Scottish striker. But Hutton was a regular in the first team, last season, clocking up 34 league and cup appearances this season.

It ends an eight-year spell at Villa, where he managed 202 outings in all competitions. He posted on Instagram, confirming that he will leave – to which Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and West Ham’s Robert Snodgrass replied.

TBR’s view

Are Villa right to offload Hutton? Of the nine players they have released this summer, perhaps Hutton is the most controversial. Yes, he turns 35 in November, but he still has plenty to offer.

Throughout his career, the former Rangers star has clocked up 151 appearances in the top flight of English football and keeping him on side would have proved just as effective on the pitch as off of it.

His knowledge would have been crucial to the likes of Frederic Guilbert, and any other new signings that are yet to play in English football or indeed the Premier League.