Alan Hutton admits that Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has proved his initial doubts over his transfer wrong after his recent performances.

The former Villa and Scotland full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that the 22-year-old’s big-money price tag led to what was probably an unfair judgement on his behalf.

Sky Sports report that the Villans spent £12million to trigger the centre-back’s release clause at Brentford over the summer, joining Kortney Hause, Bjorn Engels and Tyrone Mings in bolstering the heart of the defence.

Hutton admits the fee spent on his signing left him with doubts but that his recent form suggests he judged him too quickly.

Hutton told Football Insider: “I wasn’t too sure, I hadn’t seen too much of him and I thought the price was quite high. Maybe unfairly judging him at the start but he’s had to bide his time.

“He’s obviously had people in front of him who have done really well in the position so he’s had to be patient. Dean Smith knows him well, he’s given him his opportunity. He’s had to wait for an injury but this is the thing that happens.

“He’s done that and he’s really grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The manager’s shown good faith in him so he’s obviously doing something right.”

Konsa played just 15 minutes in the club’s opening 11 Premier League games but has now started the last four games, playing every minute.

His inclusion in the starting XI has come as a result of an injury blow to fellow summer arrival Engels.

In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has been left drooling over a Dean Smith decision that has “worked wonders” this season.