Conor Hourihane is up and running.
The 26-year-old is six games into his Aston Villa career but it was far from an easy start. Hourihane arrived from Barnsley in the January transfer window after a stellar spell that brought him to the attention of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill and several Championship suitors.
When he signed for Villa from the Tykes, both sides had genuine promotion hopes. A little over a month later and Villa are down near the sticky end of the table.
Hourihane’s first five games for Villa were all defeats and he missed out on last weekend’s much-needed victory over Derby. He was named on the Villa bench for last night’s visit of Bristol City but was called into action midway through the first half.
After Jonathan Kodja had headed Villa in front, and Ireland midfielder Callum O’Dowda came close for City, Hourihane was on hand to sweep home his first goal since his transfer.
Credit: Sky Sports News
The goal was Hourihane’s eighth of the season, to add to his 11 assists. Villa ended up 2-0 winners and many of their supporters were delighted for the Irish midfielder.
Big 3 in the middle! Hourihane, Landsbury, Jedi….it works! Great game Conor – congrats on goal – we went crazy!
— Joker (@CliffRoberts1) March 1, 2017
#AVFC Really impressed by Neil Taylor tonight. Very assured & left side now secure. Conor Hourihane also much better #Promisingsigns
— Joe Fleming (@joefleming65) March 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/wright_beast_/status/836729415363084288
Following the game, Villa boss Steve Bruce praised Hourihane for making his mark after a hard start. His comments were somewhat odd, though, considering where Villa find themselves at present. He told the Villa website:
“The goal will do him the world of good.
“He’s a good footballer and now he has to have the belief that he can come and play on the stage like this, which we have given him. That’s the next step for him.
“He’s played 18 months in the Championship to a very good level. He has a great left foot. He can make a pass. He can score a goal. He has all the credentials.”
We’re not sure what Barnsley fans would make of the bigger stage and ‘next step up’ comments – the Tykes are currently five places and eight points better off than Villa.
Perhaps Bruce is trading on Villa’s history but the club are likely to get promoted this year and, as Barnsley know well, it is tough to get back to the Premier League unless you bounce back fast.
