Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane.
Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane
Sheffield Star reporter Alan Biggs has suggested in his latest column that Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane could be a target for Sheffield Wednesday this summer.
Given that Wednesday were linked with the Irishman ahead of his move to Villa Park in January, there may well be some truth to that.
Whether he’s a realistic option remains to be seen, however. So what are the Owls’ chances?
Why would they want him?
As Biggs points out, Wednesday struggled for midfield goals this past campaign, with Kieran Lee and Ross Wallace [five apiece] providing 10 of the 17 that have arrived from that part of the pitch. Not only did Hourihane score seven for himself – as many as Adam Reach, Sam Hutchinson, Barry Bannan and Almen Abdi combined – he also made another 15.
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Ross Wallace
Would Villa let him go?
It’s probably unlikely. While Hourihane might not have hit the heights he reached during the first half of the campaign at Barnsley, Villa boss Steve Bruce has known him since his Sunderland days and will perhaps be inclined to persevere with the £28,000-a-week star. Having said that, it is suggested within Biggs’ article that Hourihane may be unsettled at Villa, in which case a return to South Yorkshire, where he spent two-and-a-half years with the Tykes, could appeal to the player.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Can Wednesday twist the Villans’ arm?
For the right price, perhaps, with Bruce reportedly needing to raise his own funds this summer, although Wednesday will no doubt be wary of breaching Financial Fair Play restrictions themselves. Alternatively, the Villa boss is a known admirer of Bannan, whose inclusion in any deal could potentially tempt his former side. The problem is, Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal is also fond of the Scotland international. And in either case, the player(s) would still need to agree to it.
Sheffield Wednesday’s former Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan
Chances: 3/10
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