Conor Hourihane was heavily criticised by some supporters after Aston Villa lost at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The 28-year-old has been a regular under Dean Smith this season, but he’s struggled for consistency and was singled out by supporters on social media after his latest below-par performance.
Hourihane was poor today. Has been for a few games, but he’s not the reason we are in this position. If anything he’s stats for goals and assists this season is decent. #AVFC
— imran Ⓜ (@M7RNI) February 16, 2019
Disappointing yet again.
Hourihane, Hutton and Elmo all need to be dropped. Should have played 4-4-2 from the kick off. Albion did nothing all game just 2 lucky goals. #AVFC— Simon H (@smnhndmch) February 16, 2019
Conor Hourihane – proving that sometimes stats are misleading. Good honest pro, nice left peg, but can’t see a future for him under Smith. Flatters to deceive #avfc
— Jamie Gray 🏴🏴 (@JMGray80) February 16, 2019
Hourihane has been poor?!? And in other news the sky is blue #AVFC https://t.co/46ogZAdtmr
— Craig Fudger (@CraigFudger) February 16, 2019
Drop Elmo, hourihane, whelan, Hutton and play some of the kids. They couldn’t care about the club and just running down the clock on their deals. This is Bruce’s doing not Smith…..#avfc
— Tom edwards (@tom_edwards89) February 16, 2019
Hourihane and Whelan can't both play in this Smith formation. Clueless side without Grealish. Defensively terrible – remind me why we wanted Elphick back? #avfc
— John (@JohnRLeavy) February 16, 2019
Hourihane should never put the shirt on again. #avfc #coward
— Nik Ayre (@nikeayre) February 16, 2019
ONE GOOD GAME EVERY YEAR, CONOR HOURIHANE!! 🎼🎼🎼🎼 #AVFC
— Evan 🦁 (@McGinnAndTonic) February 16, 2019
Hourihane is finished after today. Ramsey showing promise #AVFC
— Monchi’s Moolah 💰 (@AVFCTranstweet) February 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/mathew_day/status/1096807855527731200
Hourihane is having an absolute stinker. #AVFC #UTV
— Grange Hill (@grang3hill) February 16, 2019
Hourihane is pointless. #AVFC
— Adz (@AdzW90) February 16, 2019
Against Albion, Hourihane failed to register a shot on target, failed to win an aerial duel and failed to make a successful dribble. The midfielder created two chances, completed 80.7% of his 31 passes and whipped in seven crosses on the day, but he was hooked off after an hour for 17-year-old Jacob Ramsey – pretty telling move from Smith in a Midlands derby.
Hourihane has played in 32 of Villa’s 33 Championship games this season, contributing an impressive 13 goals in the process, but his place in the side might be up for grabs if he continues to underperform. The Ireland international was sarcastically cheered off the pitch by supporters against Albion – a real low for both parties.
He’ll have to wait until the Midlands outfit lock horns with Stoke City on February 23 to put things right.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
‘Awful’, ‘Shocking’ – some fans criticise Aston Villa man’s performance in WBA defeat
