Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane admits he is ‘open’ to Villa Park exit
Republic of Ireland international Conor Hourihane has admitted that he would be open to leaving Aston Villa for a permanent move to Sheffield United.
The 31-year-old has played 28 of the Blades’ 45 Championship games this season having joined on a season-long loan at the end of August.
Sheffield United, managed by Paul Heckingbottom, currently sit in fifth in the second tier but they still need a result on the final day to be absolutely sure of their playoff place.
Hourihane has thoroughly enjoyed his season in Yorkshire and making the move a permanent one is something he has a definite interest in.
“I’m open to it (a permanent transfer), whatever comes my way,” the 31-year-old said prior to the Blades’ game against Fulham on Saturday, as quoted by the Sheffield Star.
“I’ve enjoyed my season here. I have known Hecky (Heckingbottom) from previous, I’m very fond of him as a person and as a manager so we’ll just wait and see.”
“It’s not about me thinking about my time now, it’s about thinking for the weekend first.”
Off you go
Hourihane might be an outstanding set-piece taker with a gem of a left boot but he doesn’t really have a future at Aston Villa and he probably knows that already.
When you look at where Steven Gerrard wants to go with this club, and the signings made in January, you can see just how high the Liverpool legend is aiming.
Does that future have a place in the playing squad for an ageing Hourihane? No, not really.
At this stage in his career, the Irishman isn’t going to find that extra gear that allows him to become a Premier League regular but in the Championship, he can still dictate games on his terms and produce a moment of magic to win a game.
He is very much like the Norwich or Fulham of players in that he is too good for the second tier but he can’t quite hold his own in the big time.
If Aston Villa are to push on towards challenging for the top half of the Premier League or even European places, then Hourihane can have no place in the squad.
In other Aston Villa news, it’s time to cash in on this deep-lying midfielder and steal his replacement from another Premier League side.