---
title: "Middlesbrough eye up loan move for Conor Hourihane"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/19/middlesbrough-eye-loan-move-for-conor-hourihane/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-01-19T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-19T07:00:00Z"
---

# Middlesbrough eye up loan move for Conor Hourihane

[Conor Hourihane](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/14/dean-smith-admits-conor-hourihane-omission-was-harsh/) has an [uncertain future at Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/14/dean-smith-admits-conor-hourihane-omission-was-harsh/) as he has been short of playing time this season, falling behind John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Ross Barkley in the [midfield pecking order.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/leistungsdaten/verein/405)

Although Dean Smith played down talk of letting players leave in January, Neil Moxley of the [Sunday Mirror](https://www.pressreader.com/uk/sunday-mirror/20210117) reported (via [The 72](https://the72.co.uk/215693/middlesbrough-interested-in-loan-for-underused-aston-villa-midfielder-hourihane/)) that Middlesbrough are interested in a loan deal for Hourihane and believes that the Villa manager ‘will allow him to leave’, so could a move be on the cards?

The 29-year-old has made only five appearances in all competitions this season, last featuring in November’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United. Hourihane has been an unused substitute in Villa’s last six Premier League games and may be surplus to requirements. \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdaten/spieler/61653)\]

A potential departure might depend on whether Villa can bring in a midfielder. The Irishman is an important squad player, so a replacement will be required before the winter transfer window shuts.

### **READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Smith [would like to sign Barkley](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/12/villa-suffer-ross-barkley-transfer-blow-chelsea-hardball/) on a permanent deal and is [showing interest in Matias Vecino](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/29/aston-villa-eye-january-move-for-matias-vecino/), [Michael Olise](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/11/villa-have-eyes-on-talented-michael-olise-transfer-rumours/), [Morgan Sanson](https://twitter.com/JulienMaynard/status/1350501844460695552?s=20) and [Sivert Mannsverk](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/05/aston-villa-sivert-mannsverk-transfer-target/), so Hourihane could leave if one of those comes in.

The Irish international should jump at the chance of getting first team football elsewhere, too, so dropping down a division for a few months may not be a problem.

Middlesbrough are [seventh in the Championship](https://www.skysports.com/championship-table) and fighting for a playoff place, so bringing in a player of [proven Premier League quality](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/61653/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/405) could boost their chances of promotion back to the top flight.