Conor Hourihane has an uncertain future at Aston Villa as he is no longer commanding a starting place under Dean Smith and might want more first team football than he is currently being offered.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes he might be loaned out in January, tweeting: “Aston Villa are considering letting Conor Hourihane leave on loan this month amid interest from a number of clubs.”
Aston Villa are considering letting Conor Hourihane leave on loan this month amid interest from a number of clubs. #avfc
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 14, 2021
The 29-year-old has only made five appearances from a possible 19 this season, amassing 240 minutes of football from 1,710 (Transfermarkt). He finds himself behind John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Ross Barkley in the pecking order and has been overlooked in favour of Jacob Ramsey at times, too.
Hourihane isn’t one of the first names on the team sheet anymore, but he is still important to Smith in a backup role, having been named in every Premier League matchday squad this term. As a result, he may not be granted a departure unless a replacement can be brought in.
Inter Milan’s Matias Vecino, Sogndal IL’s Sivert Mannsverk, Reading’s Michael Olise and Inter Milan’s Christian Eriksen have been mentioned as potential targets, but Villa are no closer to signing any of them.
Smith may not be that desperate to part company with Hourihane. The manager has previously said that the Republic of Ireland international is “well-respected” in the dressing room and has “abilities” which can go unnoticed, so it makes little sense to let an important player leave midway through the season if he’s not clamouring for a departure.
READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT
Villa don’t have huge depth in midfield, so Hourihane may need to stay.
Smith has already played down the prospect of January departures too, so it would be strange to sanction an exit for the 29-year-old without somebody coming in to take his place.
