Introduction
Conor Hourihane, Aston Villa’s midfielder is a maestro that has brought creativity, invention, and urgency to the club’s gameplay in Premier League. His entry into the Villa team has been impeccable, with his fluency, swiftness, and precision in his passes and crosses that have drawn admiration from the fans and managers alike. Aston Villa is a club that has spent years in the doldrums of the league and was once relegated to the Championship but have made history by surviving relegation and making strides towards being a top club in the league. The rise of the club and Conor Hourihane’s presence in the midfield have been intertwined, and this blog post will chronicle his journey from being a fledgling in the lower leagues to a big-name player in Premier League.
Section 1: The Early Days
Conor Hourihane is a native of Bandon, a town in County Cork, Ireland. He started his football journey in the lower leagues of his native Ireland, playing for local teams and working his way up. He made his professional debut for FC Bostwick in 2008 after playing for Cork City’s youth team. Initially, he had to move around various clubs in Ireland, playing for more than 5 clubs, including Sunderland’s reserve team.
Section 2: Breaking Through in Plymouth Argyle
In 2010, Hourihane finally secured a regular place in the Plymouth Argyle team. He played in the midfield and became a fan favorite due to his explosive playstyle and eye-catching goals. He captained the club for the 2013/2014 season and helped the club avoid relegation. He made over 150 appearances for Plymouth over four seasons, cementing himself as one of the best players at the club.
Section 3: The Move to Barnsley
In 2014, Hourihane made the move to Barnsley, where he thrived under manager Paul Heckingbottom. He played an instrumental role in helping Barnsley gain promotion to the Championship for the 2016/17 season.
Section 4: Rising from League One to Premier League with Aston Villa
Aston Villa signed Hourihane from Barnsley in January 2017. Hourihane has made over 130 appearances for Villa since arriving in 2017, and he helped Aston Villa win promotion to the Premier League in the 2018/19 season via the playoffs. He has been a key player in Aston Villa’s successful return to the top tier of English football.
Section 5: Mastering the Art of Set-Pieces
One of Conor Hourihane’s most excellent qualities is his ability to take set-pieces. His accuracy in set-piece delivery has resulted in some of Villa’s most important goals over the past few seasons. He has also contributed to Villa’s attacking threat by adding in some crucial strikes from free-kicks and long-range efforts.
Section 6: Awards and Accolades
Hourihane’s performances have been recognized by his peers and the media. He won the Republic of Ireland U21 player of the year award in 2012. Hourihane also won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for November 2017 and was included in the PFA Championship team of the year for the 2016/17 season.
Section 7: FAQs
Q: How old is Conor Hourihane?
A: Conor Hourihane was born on February 2, 1991, and is currently 30 years old.
Q: Is Conor Hourihane an Irish International?
A: Yes, Conor Hourihane is a Republic of Ireland international. He has represented Ireland in several international games since making his debut in 2017.
Q: What position does Conor Hourihane play?
A: Conor Hourihane plays in the midfield, primarily as a central midfielder.
Q: Who is Aston Villa’s current manager?
A: Dean Smith is Aston Villa’s current manager. He has been in charge since 2018, leading the club to promotion to the Premier League in his first full season in charge.
Q: What is Conor Hourihane’s best game for Aston Villa?
A: Conor Hourihane’s best game for Aston Villa was in the 2018/19 Championship playoffs, where he scored two goals in the second leg of the semi-final against West Bromwich Albion.
Q: Does Conor Hourihane have any notable achievements?
A: Conor Hourihane has won promotion from League One to the Premier League twice in his career. He was also an influential player in Aston Villa’s run to the Carabao Cup final in the 2019/20 season.
Q: Who is Conor Hourihane’s role model in football?
A: Roy Keane, the former captain of the Republic of Ireland, is Conor Hourihane’s role model in football.
Section 8: The Future of Conor Hourihane and Aston Villa
Conor Hourihane has been an impressive player for Aston Villa over the past few seasons, and his future at the club looks bright. He is a vital part of the team’s playing style and has brought a creative spark to the Villa midfield. There is no doubt that Hourihane will continue to be an influential figure for Dean Smith’s side in the Premier League campaign this season and potentially in the future.
Conclusion
Conor Hourihane’s rise to the top of English football has been a remarkable journey. From playing in the lower leagues of Ireland to starring in the Premier League, Hourihane’s hard work and talent have been the key to his success. He has become an integral part of Aston Villa’s midfield, with his creativity and set-piece ability contributing greatly to Villa’s recent success. There’s no doubt that Hourihane will continue to be a key player for Villa in the seasons ahead, and fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Irish midfielder.
Do you love watching Conor Hourihane play? What qualities about his gameplay do you admire the most? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.