Conor Hourihane

From Sky Sports Transfer Centre

BREAKING NEWS

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Conor Hourihane from Barnsley.

The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal and joins for for an undisclosed fee.

Hourihane, who was out of contract in the summer, told the Villa website: "I’m really pleased to be here.

"Aston Villa is a massive club and I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my career and developing further as a player under Steve Bruce.

“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone connected to Barnsley Football Club; from the owner, to the head coach, the backroom staff, and of course to the supporters who have been amazing to me throughout my time at Oakwell."


A RELUCTANT DECISION'

This is what Barnsley have said about Hourihane's departure in a statement.

"Conor made it clear to the board that he saw the move as an opportunity to further his career and he wanted to pursue the move.

"Under these circumstances, and considering that Conor’s contract was coming to an end in the summer where he could transfer for free, the club respected that decision and reluctantly allowed him to move on for a significant fee and sell-on."

We're there no premiership clubs interested?

Maybe there was but none willing to match Villa's fee and wages. Villa have 11th highest wage bill in Europe it was confirmed recently.

They've also signed Henri Lansbury and Birki Bjarnason (played midfield for Iceland at Euros) so they've really poured money into centre midfielders during this window.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Maybe there was but none willing to match Villa's fee and wages. Villa have 11th highest wage bill in Europe it was confirmed recently.

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Seriously ? They won't be long going in to penury if that's the case if they don't get promoted. Ahead of them probably the Spanish giants, Bayern M, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and one other (Juve perhaps or Newcastle even).

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Maybe there was but none willing to match Villa's fee and wages. Villa have 11th highest wage bill in Europe it was confirmed recently

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That's nuts, any chance of a link to see who is above, and indeed, below them ? If they had the 11th biggest in England alone, you'd still be concerned, never mind the continent.

20th according to this

Apologies for the mistake and thanks for clearing up Del.

20th still outlandish.

A tribute to Hourihane released by Barnsley today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVLMgl1TaDM

It features some fantastic goals.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Maybe there was but none willing to match Villa's fee and wages. Villa have 11th highest wage bill in Europe it was confirmed recently.

They've also signed Henri Lansbury and Birki Bjarnason (played midfield for Iceland at Euros) so they've really poured money into centre midfielders during this window.

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In other words Villa is a very badly managed club, or were.

9 points off the play off, not inconceiveable they get promoted but unlikey, the bookies have them at 14-1
but I would not take that price, the 66-1 on Barnsley looks far more inviting, note I am not disucssion better
here just the realative chances of Barnsley and Villa of getting promoted, I think swapping those odds around but
be a more accurate refelction of their chances.

Villa are more likely to be in League 1 than the Premiership next season.

I had it in my head that Randy Lerner & co. used get abuse from the Villa support for penny pinching and not investing enough in the squad. I know the club has been sold more recently but I presume the wage bill would be more of a legacy issue.

Good luck to Connor Hourihane at Villa . Villa are a big club and I hope they get back in the big time soon......

£3m is a lot of money for a Championship club to spend on a player out of contract in 6 months time.

He'll be under pressure, but good pressure all the same.

Well Barnslay won again today, granted against bottom of the table no hopers Rotherham but it takes them to one point
off the play offs, the 66-1 previously on offer is not reduced to 40-1 but I they are third in the current form table
over the last 10 games so that looks quite generous to me.

Has made his Aston Villa debut but they trail 1-0 at Brentford.

Edit... Make that 2-0

0 points from a possible 9 since Hourihane moved.

Barnsley still in the promotion shake-up.

Being played out of position.

Bruce under pressure.

Any slight tinges of regret from Hourihane, I wonder?

1 goal in 8 for Hogan BTW.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

0 points from a possible 9 since Hourihane moved.

Barnsley still in the promotion shake-up.

Being played out of position.

Bruce under pressure.

Any slight tinges of regret from Hourihane, I wonder?

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From €7k a week to €28k a week....not even a scintilla I suspect especially since Villa will finish above Barnsley.

Yeah. I agree. I'm not one to comment on something like this. I have done things I regret because the money was so good - not implying Conor regrets it.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Yeah. I agree. I'm not one to comment on something like this. I have done things I regret because the money was so good - not implying Conor regrets it.

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You'll have to explain those videos to your kids and grandkids TOWK. ;)

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Originally Posted by OwlsFan

From €7k a week to €28k a week....not even a scintilla I suspect especially since Villa will finish above Barnsley.

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Might need to re-evaluate that one! 13 points between them after last night. Bruce will be doing well to last the season at this rate.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Might need to re-evaluate that one! 13 points between them after last night. Bruce will be doing well to last the season at this rate.

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When I saw that result last night I thought someone would point out the error of my ways. I expected it to be TOWK but gentleman that he is..

Long way to go yet. I still think Barnsley are flattering to deceive and Villa aren't as bad as they appear. We shall see.