Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has hailed midfielder Conor Hourihane.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has told the club’s official website that he was impressed with Conor Hourihane’s performance against Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon.
Villa made it three wins in a row with their 2-0 success at Rotherham on Saturday, building on home wins over Derby County and Bristol City.
Will Vaulks’ own goal set Villa on their way as he turned Conor Hourihane’s effort into his own net, and Jonathan Kodjia sealed the win by cutting in from the left to score.
Villa’s relegation concerns are all but over after Saturday’s win, and manager Steve Bruce singled out one player for praise after the final whistle at the New York Stadium.
Midfielder Hourihane had a hand in both goals as Vaulks put through his own net from the Irishman’s touch, and he then nodded down for Kodjia to run and score the second.
The 26-year-old hit six goals and 11 assists in 25 games for Barnsley earlier this season before completing his January move to Villa Park, with The Mirror reporting that the fee involved was £3million.
The move meant that Hourihane reunited with his former Sunderland boss Bruce, and after a slow start to life in claret and blue, the midfielder has thrived in his last couple of games, scoring against Bristol City before starring at Rotherham.
Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa celebrates scoring their first goal against Rotherham United
Manager Bruce told the club’s official website that it’s clear why Villa wanted to sign him as he can score from midfield and makes things happen, and stuck to his prediction that Hourihane will ‘be a good footballer’ for Villa during his time with the club.
“You’ve seen why we’ve signed him,” said Bruce. “He’s been like that for the past 18 months in the Championship. He’s now got to take it to the higher stage, which is playing for our club. He’s had a wonderful rise with Barnsley. I’ve known him since he was a kid at Sunderland, but let’s be honest, he could have had a few [against Rotherham].”
“The fans appreciate him. He’s a good footballer isn’t he? He’s got a great delivery, he can score a goal, he can make things happen. He’s got to improve on his heading, though. He shuts his eyes when he goes up for a header – but we won’t tell the world that! Like I’ve said many times before, he will be a good footballer for us,” he added.
What did you think of Hourihane’s performance against Rotherham?
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