Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has challenged Conor Hourihane to become the club’s attacking kingpin this season.
Hourhane recorded a hat-trick during his side’s 4-2 win over Norwich City to bring in a much needed three points for the Villains who began the season on a disappointing note following draw with Hull City and successive defeats against Cardiff and Reading.
While the Villains still occupy 16th position on the Championship table, the win with take pressure off from the shoulders of manager Steve Bruce.
It could also serve as the catalyst to kick-start their season. With the hat-trick, Hourihane took his tally for the week to four, after also netting a consolation goal during his team’s 2-1 loss to Reading. The Villains will certainly be hoping to get out of the goal scoring midfielder as the season progresses.
Following the game, Villa manager Steve Bruce was full of praise for the player and said, “Conor’s another one. When we bought him from Barnsley he’d got the top assists in the league and he still finished with the top assists.
“But he found it a bit difficult here to settle in. He didn’t have the confidence and swagger that he had at Barnsley where he was the kingpin.
“That might give him the confidence. We always knew he was a good young player to have around the place and that bit of confidence came oozing out today when he scored his goal. He’s got four in a week which is terrific stuff.”
