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Aston Villa: Fans discuss Conor Hourihane’s impact this season
Many Aston Villa fans have given their opinion on Conor Hourihane’s impact this season, after it emerged that he has played just 38% of available minutes in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).
The Villa Park outfit currently sit 19th in the English top flight having struggled to find any consistency throughout the 2019/2020 campaign.
Gaining promotion from the Championship via the play-off final last term, midfielder Hourihane played a vital part in the Midlands club’s return to the Premier League notching up 47 league appearances (including play-offs), scoring eight goals and providing 12 assists (Transfermarkt).
However, this time round, the Republic of Ireland international has struggled to find playing time under Dean Smith.
Appearing 18 times for Villa in the league, the 29-year-old has struggled to replicate the form he showed last term.
Villa, who return to league action against Sheffield United next Wednesday, have one game in hand over their relegation rivals and Hourihane’s lack of playing time has now prompted a debate amongst fans on whether or not he should be handed a chance when the Premier League returns.
It seems opinion is split and whilst some don’t seem to think he is the answer, others would like to see him given a chance. One even suggested they would rather see him play than loanee Danny Drinkwater, indeed the ex-Leicester man has failed to impress at Villa Park so far, averaging a meagre 5.74 WhoScored rating.
Conor Hourihane has started 39% of Aston Villa games this season & played just 948 mins which is 38% of the available minutes [TransferMarkt]
For a player who was so important for us last season, registering 8 goals & 11 assists, has he been under-utilised this season? 🇮🇪 #avfc pic.twitter.com/rDoRnJ42DU
— Total Villa (@Total_Villa) June 10, 2020
He’s a good player in a midfield that dominates the ball, unfortunately that’s not us this season.
He doesn’t tackle very well and gets caught out of position when we are under pressure.
Would be much better if we could use him further up the field.— Gary Glasgow (@GPDecorating) June 10, 2020
He has single-handedly got 2 of our 7 wins this season (prem)🤷🏼♂️ don’t see where the hate comes from tbh😅
— Tom Leadbetter (@avfcleady) June 10, 2020
Yeah he’s done absolutely nothing on the pitch for us during April & May!
— Pingu (@___Pingu__) June 10, 2020
He has to play along side mcginn when we restart the season. They are good together and both can score goals out of nothing.
— Malc Wilkins (@wilkinsno4) June 10, 2020
Everytime he’s started this season he’s underperformed. Not enough steel in his game. Needs more desperation and fight.
— Paul (@bluesfor) June 10, 2020
Would rather have him on the pitch than Drinkwater
— Charles (@12345charles) June 10, 2020
Invisible when he is picked, a league to far for him!
— Michael J Edwards (@MichaelJEdwar14) June 10, 2020
Do you think Hourihane should have played more for Villa? Let us know in the comments section below…
