---
title: "Conor Hourihane admits he could leave Aston Villa for good next year"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/11/conor-hourihane-admits-he-could-leave-aston-villa-next-year/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-02-11T15:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-11T15:30:00Z"
---

# Conor Hourihane admits he could leave Aston Villa for good next year

[Conor Hourihane](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/05/conor-hourihane-aston-villa-career-trouble-swansea-city-dean-smith-jacob-ramsey/) has an uncertain future at Aston Villa. He [joined Swansea City on loan](https://www.swanseacity.com/news/swansea-city-complete-loan-deal-conor-hourihane) last month to get more playing time and might be surplus to requirements upon his return.

The 30-year-old [fell down the pecking order](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/61653) in 2020/21 and is out of contract in [less than 18 months’ time](https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2019/07/12/conor-hourihane-signs-new-contract), so he might be considering his options when the summer transfer window opens.

When asked if he could leave Villa when his contract expires in 2022, Hourihane told the Irish Examiner’s [A Footballer’s Life](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40224698.html) podcast: “Time will tell, I’m not sure. I’m not really thinking too far ahead. I know this is the right thing for me – playing, playing well.”

The midfielder has made [five appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/61653/plus/0?saison=2020&verein=405&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) for Villa this season, scoring one goal and supplying one assist. The Republic of Ireland international’s last outing for the Claret and Blues was all the way [back in November](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/61653/plus/0?saison=2020&verein=405&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) as he has struggled with competition from John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Marvelous Nakamba and Jacob Ramsey, so he could not be blamed for wanting a temporary move away.

Morgan Sanson’s arrival from Marseille could further diminish his hopes of playing for Villa again and Hourihane conceded that the club might be outgrowing him. He added: “Let’s see what happens over the coming months.

“Villa is a fantastic club. I’ve been there four years – it’s such a fantastic club, great setup, huge football club – but they are moving on as well a little bit and going to a level where, maybe, the club feels is past my level. That’s their opinion so we’ll just see what happens come the summer.”

### **READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Hourihane has made [150 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/61653) in all competitions since [joining](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/transfers/spieler/61653) Villa from Barnsley in 2017, but he may have played his final game for the club.

The 30-year-old has so many players ahead of him in midfield that he might need to seek a permanent move to a club who can provide him with regular opportunities, and he certainly seems open to leaving Villa behind for good.