Sutton did not want to end with the blues

Chris Sutton’s determination not to end his career on a low note was a major reason for him signing for Aston Villa, according to manager Martin O’Neill.

Sutton experienced the agony of relegation from the Barclays Premiership with local rivals Birmingham last season and was unable to participate in the final stages of their fight for survival because of a groin problem.

The former Celti striker had surgery in the summer before being persuaded to link up for a second time with O’Neill at Villa Park, after their time together at Parkhead.

Sutton built up his fitness before making an impressive full debut against Blackburn and then scoring the winner at Everton last weekend.

Now the 33-year-old is looking to cement Villa’s place in the top four with victory over revitalised Wigan at the JJB Stadium on Sunday.

O’Neill said: “Chris was definitely thinking about not playing anymore, but he didn’t want to leave the football scene the way he did.

“That was as big a motivation for him as anything.

“He didn’t want being injured and relegated from the Premiership to be his swansong as a footballer.

“He got on very well with Steve Bruce at Birmingham and, after a decent start, was disappointed he wasn’t able to help him as much as he wanted because of his injury. He knew Steve had put a fair amount of trust in him to do it.

“But it wasn’t Chris Sutton’s fault he got injured and wasn’t able to do it.

“Now he has come back and if he stays fit he wll do well for us.

“Chris is a really talented player and intelligent player. We won’t have him for an eternity but he will be good for us.”

And O’Neill admits that when it comes to his hopes for Sutton, he is looking no further than the end of the season.

He said: “I would have no set plans. What happens in the future is entirely up to how well Chris plays and how he feels. It is an open thing.

“But even now, if he felt he wasn’t contributing, he would leave.

O’Neill added: “He is quite pleased he has got a goal in the Premiership.

“I joked whether or not he had got the touch for the goal at Everton and he said ‘of course I did, otherwise I wouldn’t have run so fast and so far after scoring’.”

The Villa manager believes Sutton can also have a positive effect on the Villa dressing room.

He said: “Chris will not step into a dressing room and in minute one become the life and soul of the party.

“He will take a bit of time to weigh things up. He really will.

“But when he gets to know the people then he opens up.

“Sutton was a major player in the dressing room as well as on the field at Celtic. But he did not step in and be funny overnight.

“It will take the players a wee while to get used to Chris’s ways but he will not be a malevolent influence on these players. Absolutely not.”