Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane becoming crucial for club and country

Fresh from 2 man-of-the-match displays for Ireland, his 1st international goal and the birth of his first child, Conor Hourihane has certainly had worse weeks…

This past week at international level has been a long time coming for Conor Hourihane as Saturday’s win against Gibraltar was his maiden win in Ireland colours. This was quickly followed by his first strike for his country Tuesday night.

It was a trademark free kick whipped in to the keeper’s right hand corner which Aston Villa fans are well accustomed to seeing him do. It was just a surprise to see him do it for his country, as this past week has been the first time he’s started 2 games consecutively for the Emerald Isle. Mick McCarthy’s appointment as Ireland’s manager may well benefit Hourihane as he certainly showed the new manager what he can offer. It wasn’t just his goal that was impressive; he put in some brilliant crosses against Gibraltar and Georgia, which the Irish players couldn’t finish off. He also used the ball intelligently, playing it forward when he could, but the fact he didn’t take any silly risks with it will have impressed McCarthy immensely.

His form for Ireland is really just a continuation of what Villa fans are seeing from him of late.

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He has definitely benefited from the return of Jack Grealish, but his goal involvement over the entire season (16 – 6 goals and 10 assists) is second only to Tammy Abraham, and points to a decent level of consistency from midfield. It makes the jeers and boos he received from some Villa fans recently against West Brom seem ridiculous but he has undoubtedly not let that affect him whatsoever.

He has taken his game to a new level as a result.

Conor Hourihane is going to be crucial in the run-in to the end of the season with his dead ball delivery and scoring prowess from midfield (also worth mentioning he was the first Villa midfielder since David Platt to get to double figures in league goals – which he achieved last season).

It’s a reminder there are few better in this league at his position than an in-form Hourihane.