---
title: "Fans want Conor Hourihane instead of ‘disappointing’ Ross Barkley"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/23/villa-fans-want-conor-hourihane-over-ross-barkley/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-02-23T13:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-23T13:30:00Z"
---

# Fans want Conor Hourihane instead of ‘disappointing’ Ross Barkley

[Ross Barkley is coming in for a lot of criticism](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/21/fan-reaction-aston-villa-ross-barkley-leicester-defeat/) after underperforming in [Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester City](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Aston-Villa-1-2-Leicester-City/) at the weekend, leading to many supporters wanting the recall of [Conor Hourihane](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/12/conor-hourihane-explains-decision-to-reject-bournemouth-move/), who is [impressing in his loan spell at Swansea City](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Loan-round-up-Hourihane-scores-fourth-Swansea-goal/).

Barkley has scored just one goal and hasn’t provided an assist since recovering from a hamstring injury in January ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdaten/spieler/131978)), but Hourihane has found the back of the net four times in his first five appearances for the Swans ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdaten/spieler/61653)).

Barkley had a hand in [three goals from his first six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdaten/spieler/131978) Premier League appearances for Villa and was being [touted for an England recall](https://www.whoateallthepies.tv/england/286119/jude-bellingham-gets-first-england-call-up-but-why-no-place-for-ross-barkley.html), but things have fallen apart after being [injured in November and December](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-ross-barkley-injury-19536070), so it’s hard to see Gareth Southgate giving him an opportunity at the moment.

Hourihane [requested a loan move](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/05/conor-hourihane-aston-villa-career-trouble-swansea-city-dean-smith-jacob-ramsey/) away from Villa last month as he was struggling for playing time, but he is now making his parent club look foolish for getting rid of him after matching [Barkley’s season total](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/leistungsdaten/spieler/131978) ([four goals in 17 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/leistungsdaten/spieler/61653)) in just a matter of weeks.

These Villa fans on Twitter feel that the Irishman should be brought back to the club pronto and would be a better option in midfield than the “disappointing” Barkley:

> If Grealish is going to be out for a while can we bring back Hourihane? Both McGinn and Barkley have been disappointing recently.
>
> — Kevin G Conroy🇪🇺🧑🏻‍🦽 (@KevGeo2011) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/KevGeo2011/status/1363526387370500100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Hourihane is more effective than Barkley is by about a million miles [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Joe Bowes🌔 (@mercianstweets) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/mercianstweets/status/1363513784049016832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/mrthompson81/status/1363501593371508737?s=20

> Barkley has been class before he got injured tbf. We lack trustable options at AM… Turns out Hourihane on loan was a terrible decision
>
> — Jan Melchior Bonacker (@bon\_journalist) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/bon_journalist/status/1363504450883751944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Would 100% prefer Hourihane to Barkley and Guilbert to Elmo they’re both useless. Barkley does not care one bit
>
> — Finley (@Finley1874) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/Finley1874/status/1363497350203797511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Its barkley not pulling his weight, hes been a passenger since he came back, and grealish makes up for it because he's so good, works so hard and is usually doubled up on. should have kept hourihane, he'll get you 10 goals and assists every year
>
> — Sean Keogh (@skeogh420) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/skeogh420/status/1363577265322405890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I agree he would struggle getting into the team but I was just pointing out that I’d much rather have Hourihane than Barkley at the moment
>
> — George W Hayes 🦁 (@GeorgeWhitbyH) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/GeorgeWhitbyH/status/1363577706898685955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Sanson just has to start. McGinn and Barkley very poor today. Luiz, Sanson and Ramsey at Elland Road? \
> \
> Meanwhile, Hourihane’s scoring bangers for the fun of it at Swansea. Miss him badly.\
> \
> Oh, almost forgot it: still no clue whether Jack is out for one month or one week.
>
> — Aston Villa & Steer Fanpage #AVFC (@AVSteerFanpage) [February 21, 2021](https://twitter.com/AVSteerFanpage/status/1363603592817631236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> There has to be better options out there that would die to get a chance to play for a top club – Hourihane has scored more goals for Swansea than Barkley has for Villa
>
> — Troels Lund AVFC since 1955 (@Troels71) [February 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/Troels71/status/1363801492734402565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)