COMMENTARY
As a midfielder who is tasked with dictating play with his passing and vision, Hourihane has the Aston Villa faithful eating out of his hand. However, when given the role of a defensive midfielder he fails to inspire in the slighted – and that is exactly what has happened against Middlesbrough on Saturday evening. His efforts as a ball winner was slaughtered on Twitter and understandably so for he looked so uncomfortable trying to carry out the instructions of Dean Smith – even if they won 3-0. It simply is not the sort of game he wants to – or really can – play and that is why he was left disappointing the supporters at the Riverside Stadium. He does have a part to play in the club’s push for a top six finish but it is quite clearly not in that defensive role and if Smith continues to persevere with the tactical gamble then it is going to backfire spectacularly at some point. Villa were lucky Boro did not exploit him too much – but that will not always be the case against other opposition.
This is Futbol has gathered a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
Hourihane is so dodgey
— Andrew ?? (@AVFC__Andrew) December 1, 2018
Hourihane terrible again at DM, about as physical as a kitten, no protection for defense
— Matt Jeffries (@matty__jeff) December 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/gortavfc/status/1068930607936413696
https://twitter.com/HarryWR19/status/1068929667342757890
https://twitter.com/AVFCRichard/status/1068929389704998912
Still struggling to see what Hourihane offers this #avfc team as DM. Think DM is a priority in the January transfer window.
— Matthew Wilkinson (@mattywilkinson) December 1, 2018
Hourihane needs to pick it up not looking to hot again!
— ChicoHamiltonsPants (@ChicoPants) December 1, 2018
Hourihane has been dreadful so far
— Tom (@tomvlaa) December 1, 2018
A player that can control a game unlike hourihane
— Tom King (@thomasavfc12) December 1, 2018