ALAN Hutton has appealed for patience from the claret and blue faithful as he strives to kickstart his Villa career, insisting: “I’m only human”.

Hutton returns to contention for Saturday’s New Year’s Eve trip to Chelsea after missing the Stoke draw because of a one-match suspension.

Villa also hope to welcome back Darren Bent at Stamford Bridge following a three-game absence after a scan on his groin revealed nothing untoward.

Emile Heskey’s Achilles problem is also less serious than first feared and he could be available for Saturday or Monday’s home match against Swansea.

Hutton’s sending-off for two bookings in the defeat to Arsenal last week summed up a testing first half of the season for the Scottish international.

He has been searching for form since his August 31 deadline day switch from Tottenham for a fee believed to be £3.5 million. He faces a tough task regaining the right-back berth at Stamford Bridge after his replacement, Carlos Cuellar, impressed in the role.

But Hutton is confident supporters will eventually see the best of him after admitting it is hard to adjust to new surroundings.

“Sometimes it just takes time for people to settle in, become comfortable and build up their confidence,” he said.

“Hopefully that’s starting to happen now.

“I think it can happen where supporters forget players are human beings and think we’re mechanical, but I can understand why.

“They pay their money and they want to come and see the players on a Saturday playing to the best of their ability.

“For different reasons it doesn’t happen every week.

“But at this club, at this level we’re playing at, we’re expected to perform week in, week out, so I can understand why people get annoyed.”

Hutton cites fellow new boy Charles N’Zogbia’s recent improvement as the example he can follow for Villa.

N’Zogbia struggled to settle during his first months at the club but his performances have been better lately.