Hourihane became Villa’s fifth signing of the month on Thursday.
New Aston Villa signing Conor Hourihane has told the club’s official website that he will bring goals and assists to the team as well as the ability to do some defensive dirty work.
Hourihane became Villa’s fifth signing of the January transfer window on Thursday when he joined the club from Barnsley.
The 25-year-old Irishman has already registered six goals and 11 assists in 25 Championship appearances for the Tykes this term.
Given that form, it is easy to understand why Villa fans have been so eager to see club owner Tony Xia get the Hourihane deal over the line, with Villa’s interest initially being reported weeks ago.
Hourihane, who exchanged Twitter messages with Villa legend Paul McGrath after completing his move, gave his first interview as a Villa player to the club’s official website.
He told avfc.co.uk: “Aston Villa is one of the very biggest clubs in England. Then there’s Villa Park. We have Steve Bruce in charge. We have fantastic facilities. We have great players. With the size of the club and where it wants to go, it was a no-brainer for me to come here.
“Villa fans can expect an all-round midfielder. I like to stop attacks and also start attacks. I like to get in the box and score goals. I like to chip in with goals and assists.
“Hopefully that will continue – there’s no reason why not. I just can’t wait to embrace playing at Aston Villa and hit the ground running.”
One area in which Villa’s team has been lacking arguably since the days of Martin O’Neill is in terms of getting goals from midfield.
However, with the triple signing of Hourihane, Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury, and Iceland international Birkir Bjarnason, Villa’s midfield should surely begin to carry a far greater attacking threat in the remaining months of the season.
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