Conor Hourihane scored in the EFL Cup again as Dean Smith’s Villa beat Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion at The Amex.
Dean Smith has a tough decision to make this weekend. Then again, he’d have been hoping that his fringe players would give him some food for thought during Wednesday’s EFL Cup third round clash away at Brighton and Hove Albion. That’s what the competition is all about.
If Conor Hourihane wants to force his way back into the starting XI after beginning on the bench in Aston Villa’s last five Premier League games, he certainly made his case on the South Coast.
The Republic of Ireland international is not only the best set piece taker in Villa’s squad, he also reminded his manager that he knows where the back of the net is. Scoring in typically clinical fashion from a Keinan Davis pass, that was Hourihane’s second in the cup this season already as the Midland giants cruised to a 3-1 win at The Amex.
But therein lies the problem. Hourihane is at his mpst impressive when playing as a roving number eight, buzzing around the pitch, creating chances and shooting at will. But the chances of him ousting Jack Grealish and John McGinn look slim.
Hourihane’s best hope of a starting place is in defensive midfield – but that is hardly where he is at his most effective.
Nonetheless, the Aston Villa faithful think he deserves a chance to prove his worth against Burnley this weekend.
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