But he is determined to add to that tally as the campaign draws to a conclusion.

The Wearsiders have not won in seven games and goals have been at a premium, and with Kevin Phillips currently suspended and Niall Quinn struggling with a back injury, the responsibility has shifted a little.

"I quite like it when you've got that responsibility, but I'd prefer everyone to be scoring and us to be flying to worrying about having that weight on my shoulders," he said.

"I'm sure once Kevin gets back into the side, he'll start scoring again, but in the meantime, I'm happy to try to do that.

"I never set myself a target, but at the same time, I always think double figures is an excellent return for a midfielder, and if I don't get there after the season I've had, I'll be disappointed."

Hutchison missed the FA Cup defeat by West Ham and last weekend's 2-0 reverse at Leicester through suspension, as did skipper Michael Gray and Alex Rae, and with Rae and Phillips banned for tomorrow's game, disciplinary problems are starting to have a major bearing on the Wearsiders' season.

However, they remain fourth in the table and are clinging on to their dreams of European football, while acutely aware that they need to start the points total ticking over once again if they are to remain in contention.

Hutchison admits that the suspensions have not helped their cause, but he insists that there is more to it than that.

"It can work either way," he said. "If you've got a settled side and you're on a good run like we have been and you're missing a few players, then it's frustrating.

"But then at the same time, the lads who come in, it's a good opportunity for them to play in a winning side and keep the lads who are out of the team out for a bit longer.

"It's just unfortunate for us that we haven't had a good result since the four of us have been missing. But it's not just down to us four, it's a team thing."

Villa arrive at the Stadium of Light having won just one of their last eight Premiership games, and that against rock-bottom Bradford, and with Sunderland having scored just twice in seven, the omens for an open, flowing game are not good.

But Hutchison is confident that the Black Cats can turn a significant corner to launch a late charge to the finishing line.

"They haven't scored a lot, but at the same time, we haven't kept clean sheets," he said. "At the start of the season, we hardly conceded a goal, especially at home.

"We've got to set our targets and maybe go five games unbeaten. The next five games are important to us.

"It's easy to say it's going to stop, but unless we actually perform on the pitch and do the business, then we'll have to wait and see.

"Two points out of 15 is not very good, but we're still lying fourth, so in the next five games, if we can get a few wins and a couple of draws in there, we'd be more than happy with that."

Manager Peter Reid has few selection problems, suspensions apart, but will await news on Slovakian defender Stanislav Varga before naming his side.

Varga damaged a groin in the 1-0 FA Cup fifth round defeat by West Ham on February 17, and will not be risked unless he has fully recovered.

However, striker Niall Quinn should be ready to resume after pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad last week with a back problem.