Were Whelan and Hourihane overlooked for Ireland because they play for Villa?

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The Aston Villa pair barely featured in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off.

Aston Villa’s resurgence owes much to the form of midfield pair Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan – even if the latter still has his critics – so it was surprising to see them overlooked for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Denmark earlier this week.

Martin O’Neill’s side went into Tuesday’s clash with a great chance of reaching Russia 2018 after a 0-0 draw in the first leg, but a 5-1 hammering in the reverse fixture ensured it was the Danes who made it to the tournament.

Whelan had to wait until the 88th minute to come on in the first game, with Hourihane arriving in injury-time. However that was a treat compared with the second leg, with both Villa players sitting unused on the bench while Ireland were torn apart by a Christian Eriksen-inspired Denmark.

One wonders why O’Neill opted not to consider either player, especially when they have helped Villa charge up the Championship table and challenge for promotion, with Hourihane in particular in blistering form.

Could it be the fact that the pair are currently plying their trade in the second tier, rather than the top flight, with players less deserving of a starting spot getting the nod ahead of them?

We will never know for sure but, while hindsight is a wonderful this in football as in life, the Villa players could have done a job in the winner-takes-all clash.