Sutton has been sidelined since suffering blurred vision during the Barclays Premiership home clash with Manchester United on December 23.

The 33-year-old has been to see a specialist on several occasions but there has been no significant improvement in his condition.

Now he will see the advice of a second expert before making a decision on his future.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "Chris has got another specialist to see. He has already seen one - and he has another one to see.

"He will make his mind up about things after he has seen the second specialist.

"He will make his mind up about his whole future and career. That will be within the next 10 days."

O'Neill added: "Chris has got a genuine concern. His concern always is no-one can give him any guarantees about what might be the consequences if he got cracked on the head again.

"Whatever eyesight Chris has now, he would want to obviously keep."

Sutton signed for Villa from Birmingham in the summer on a one-year deal and had just started to make a meaningful contribution before the eye setback against United.