OPINION
One of the big talking points of Aston Villa’s 2-0 derby defeat to West Brom on Saturday was the treatment of Conor Hourihane. The 28-year-old was the victim of targeted abuse from a section of supporters and was roundly jeered when he was substituted after 61 minutes. While Hourihane had a poor game, plenty of Villa fans have subsequently pointed out their embarrassment of fellow supporters for picking on a mainstay of the team and scapegoating him for the slump in form and results. They slammed his treatment as an “absolute disgrace”, “shameful” and “horrible”. Credit to them for pointing the finger. Elite players are expected to take the rough with the smooth from supporters, but a section of the Villa faithful have crossed the line. Hourihane has been a mainstay of the team under Dean Smith, just as he was under Steve Bruce, because he is a proven Championship performer. His record this season for a midfielder – five goals and nine assists from 33 appearances – is very impressive. There certainly won’t be a shortage of interested clubs if the fans’ treatment forces Hourihane to consider his future.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
What about the constant targeted abuse of Whelan up until the last few weeks? That had nothing to do with lack of effort. What happened to Hourihane yesterday was an absolute disgrace.
— Kev (@Kevavfc1993) February 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/81villans/status/1097074964803584000
https://twitter.com/spunkyvillan/status/1097076215859609601
Last two #avfc home games
Ironically cheered Jedinak
Cheered Hourihane substitution
Booed at h/t twice
Left in thousands before 80 minBut it's DS & players that are the problem ??
— luke finnegan (@lfinnegan8) February 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/andrewroden/status/1097080184149286917
I guess it’s hard to know what really went on behind the scenes, before jan and in the window itself but I don’t buy it that they were our first choice targets by any stretch. Hourihane isn’t without fault but it seems some think he should be busquets xavi and iniesta in one
— Chris Pope (@poppit25) February 17, 2019
I am totally against the cheering that greeted Hourihane’s substitution yesterday (as it does nothing for a player who’s confidence is clearly already low) but I have to say that he didn’t help himself by deliberately strolling off the pitch when we’re chasing the game.
— Richie B AVFC (@Beno1917) February 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/copywritekay/status/1097066667107061760
Fans have decided @ConorHourihane is the scapegoat. I felt embrassed when they were booing him. I could see he was visibly upset when he came off. Unacceptable booing our own players, no one goes out there to give a bad performance or miss place a pass. #avfc 1/2
— Simon ? (@simonuk103) February 16, 2019
That was a horrible moment.. the guy next to me hammered him the whole game then went apoplectic when he was subbed .. he’s the new Westwood.. shame really as I think his confidence has been hammered by the those fans
— Andy? (@androo38) February 17, 2019