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Alan Waddle
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The Aston Villa view on 'devastating' Conor Hourihane and the 'scary' record summing up Swansea City's coup
Source: Wales Online
We got the full lowdown on Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland star Conor Hourihane ahead of his impending loan move to Swansea City
Swansea City are poised to sign Conor Hourihane on loan from Aston Villa.
The Republic of Ireland international is expected to join the Swans this week on a deal until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
It represents a major coup for Steve Cooper whose side have beaten the likes of Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to clinch a deal for the 29-year-old.
But what exactly will Hourihane bring to the party?
We spoke to Ashley Preece - who covers Aston Villa for our sister title Birmingham Mail - to find out more about Hourihane and what he has to offer.
Why has Hourihane had so little game-time this season?
AP: In a word: circumstance. Hourihane started really well in Villa's opening two games and looked like he really kicked on off the back of Project Restart. He scored and assisted down at Fulham but, the following week, he was straight out of the team to make way for Ross Barkley. Dean Smith was asked about that decision and he said he wanted more athleticism and power knowing he was up against Liverpool. He played very little football after that.
He had a rare start against West Ham following Barkley's injury but, the week after, he was out of the team again and replaced in the starting XI by 19-year-old rookie Jacob Ramsey against Wolves. That decision would have hurt Hourihane but, again, Smith put it down to wanting more legs and athleticism in his engine room and that's been the story of Hourihane's lack of game-time: the fact Villa play at a relentless tempo now with Smith building a fitter and faster squad.
Hourihane's just short of the required standard Smith has set this season.
What are the reasons behind Villa allowing him to leave on loan?
AP: It's the impending arrival of Marseille No.8 Morgan Sanson.
Smith has spoken of his reluctance to let Hourihane leave after the midfielder knocked on his door many times asking for more match minutes.
Hourihane's been an unused sub for Villa's last six Premier League matches. He just can't get in past John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Barkley and even teenager Ramsey.
To put it simply he's not going to play. Hourihane, for the record, should be playing week in week out. He needs to go out and enjoy his football again.
What qualities will he bring to Swansea?
AP: Swans fans, get this: Hourihane's been directly involved in 54 goals (scoring or assisting) in his 126 appearances to date for Villa and Barnsley. That's scary.
He'll give Swansea a real cutting edge in the final third. He possesses a devastating left peg and, if he has half a yard in and around the 18-yard box, the opposition is in trouble.
Hourihane brings a directness and a devastating delivery with Swansea's attacking players set to lap it up.
He's a real leader among men as well who sets high standards. I think he'll thrive in south Wales, I really do.
What is his preferred position, and where would he fit into a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 formation?
AP: He's your typical No.8 and will play centrally on his favoured left-side.
It would help if he's given freedom to get up the pitch because that's where he does his best work by causing opposing teams nightmares with his shooting, set-pieces or wicked deliveries.
He'll slot into Swans' midfield no problem. He'll look to get his head up as well, meaning the likes of Jamal Lowe and Andre Ayew could well be in for a field day.
Why do you feel he chose Swansea over the likes of Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest?
AP: Bournemouth have just signed Jack Wilshere, a similar, left-footed central midfield player who likes to get on the ball.
As for Forest, it's not really a happy camp there at the minute given the Championship table.
You look at Swansea, where they are, with Steve Cooper, it's just a great place to play football.
Neil Taylor would have been in his ear as well, the pair are the best of mates at Villa so Tayls would have persuaded him.
The standard of living in Swansea as well, with the Mumbles and the beautiful beaches; it's just a great place to kick-start your career again.
Swansea will probably remind him of his hometown of Cork as well given the similarities of the two south-coast cities. He was raised in Bandon, was Hourihane, and to folk in Cork he's known as the Bandon Beckham which is quite funny!
Honestly, though, Swansea have pulled of a bit of a coup here.
I'm pleased for Hourihane as well. He's been such a classy servant at Villa who, after scoring his first Premier League goal, famously said: "That's now my 25th goal for the club. That's not too bad for a lad who's come from Barnsley for a small amount of money."
Source: Wales Online
We got the full lowdown on Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland star Conor Hourihane ahead of his impending loan move to Swansea City
Swansea City are poised to sign Conor Hourihane on loan from Aston Villa.
The Republic of Ireland international is expected to join the Swans this week on a deal until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
It represents a major coup for Steve Cooper whose side have beaten the likes of Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest to clinch a deal for the 29-year-old.
But what exactly will Hourihane bring to the party?
We spoke to Ashley Preece - who covers Aston Villa for our sister title Birmingham Mail - to find out more about Hourihane and what he has to offer.
Why has Hourihane had so little game-time this season?
AP: In a word: circumstance. Hourihane started really well in Villa's opening two games and looked like he really kicked on off the back of Project Restart. He scored and assisted down at Fulham but, the following week, he was straight out of the team to make way for Ross Barkley. Dean Smith was asked about that decision and he said he wanted more athleticism and power knowing he was up against Liverpool. He played very little football after that.
He had a rare start against West Ham following Barkley's injury but, the week after, he was out of the team again and replaced in the starting XI by 19-year-old rookie Jacob Ramsey against Wolves. That decision would have hurt Hourihane but, again, Smith put it down to wanting more legs and athleticism in his engine room and that's been the story of Hourihane's lack of game-time: the fact Villa play at a relentless tempo now with Smith building a fitter and faster squad.
Hourihane's just short of the required standard Smith has set this season.
What are the reasons behind Villa allowing him to leave on loan?
AP: It's the impending arrival of Marseille No.8 Morgan Sanson.
Smith has spoken of his reluctance to let Hourihane leave after the midfielder knocked on his door many times asking for more match minutes.
Hourihane's been an unused sub for Villa's last six Premier League matches. He just can't get in past John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Barkley and even teenager Ramsey.
To put it simply he's not going to play. Hourihane, for the record, should be playing week in week out. He needs to go out and enjoy his football again.
What qualities will he bring to Swansea?
AP: Swans fans, get this: Hourihane's been directly involved in 54 goals (scoring or assisting) in his 126 appearances to date for Villa and Barnsley. That's scary.
He'll give Swansea a real cutting edge in the final third. He possesses a devastating left peg and, if he has half a yard in and around the 18-yard box, the opposition is in trouble.
Hourihane brings a directness and a devastating delivery with Swansea's attacking players set to lap it up.
He's a real leader among men as well who sets high standards. I think he'll thrive in south Wales, I really do.
What is his preferred position, and where would he fit into a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 formation?
AP: He's your typical No.8 and will play centrally on his favoured left-side.
It would help if he's given freedom to get up the pitch because that's where he does his best work by causing opposing teams nightmares with his shooting, set-pieces or wicked deliveries.
He'll slot into Swans' midfield no problem. He'll look to get his head up as well, meaning the likes of Jamal Lowe and Andre Ayew could well be in for a field day.
Why do you feel he chose Swansea over the likes of Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest?
AP: Bournemouth have just signed Jack Wilshere, a similar, left-footed central midfield player who likes to get on the ball.
As for Forest, it's not really a happy camp there at the minute given the Championship table.
You look at Swansea, where they are, with Steve Cooper, it's just a great place to play football.
Neil Taylor would have been in his ear as well, the pair are the best of mates at Villa so Tayls would have persuaded him.
The standard of living in Swansea as well, with the Mumbles and the beautiful beaches; it's just a great place to kick-start your career again.
Swansea will probably remind him of his hometown of Cork as well given the similarities of the two south-coast cities. He was raised in Bandon, was Hourihane, and to folk in Cork he's known as the Bandon Beckham which is quite funny!
Honestly, though, Swansea have pulled of a bit of a coup here.
I'm pleased for Hourihane as well. He's been such a classy servant at Villa who, after scoring his first Premier League goal, famously said: "That's now my 25th goal for the club. That's not too bad for a lad who's come from Barnsley for a small amount of money."
