IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Conor Hourihane bagged an outrageous hat-trick as Aston Villa brought their Championship winless streak to a close on Saturday with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Norwich.
Conor Hourihane scored three as Villa beat Norwich 4-2 on Saturday. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
The 26-year-old gave Villa a 22nd minute lead from close range before adding two more after the break, as Steve Bruce’s side earned their first league win of the season.
Advertisement
Hourihane scored his first goal of the season earlier in the week when Villa were beaten 2-1 away to Reading on Tuesday night, meaning he currently tops the Championship scoring charts with four.
The player joined Villa in January following three seasons at Barnsley where he won the EFL Trophy as well as winning promotion to the Championship in May 2016.
The midfielder has just two appearances for Ireland — making his international debut in March during a 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland at the Aviva Stadium, before earning his second cap in another friendly against Mexico at the start of June.
With pressure mounting on manager Bruce following two defeats and a draw versus Hull City on the opening weekend, Saturday’s vital win will give the ex-Sunderland boss much-needed breathing space at Villa Park in his first campaign in the dugout.
In a game which featured multiple Irish internationals, Glenn Whelan played 90 minutes in the win alongside Hourihane in midfield, while Wes Hoolahan was introduced for Norwich with 15 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere in the Championship ex-Cork City striker Sean Maguire assisted Jordan Hugill’s winner as Preston North End beat Reading 1-0, while Daryl Murphy scored a penalty as Nottingham Forrest defeated Middlesbrough 2-1.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
13 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Conor Hourihane bagged an incredible hat-trick this evening as Aston Villa downed Norwich
Updated at 6.25
IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Conor Hourihane bagged an outrageous hat-trick as Aston Villa brought their Championship winless streak to a close on Saturday with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Norwich.
The 26-year-old gave Villa a 22nd minute lead from close range before adding two more after the break, as Steve Bruce’s side earned their first league win of the season.
Hourihane scored his first goal of the season earlier in the week when Villa were beaten 2-1 away to Reading on Tuesday night, meaning he currently tops the Championship scoring charts with four.
The player joined Villa in January following three seasons at Barnsley where he won the EFL Trophy as well as winning promotion to the Championship in May 2016.
The midfielder has just two appearances for Ireland — making his international debut in March during a 1-0 friendly defeat to Iceland at the Aviva Stadium, before earning his second cap in another friendly against Mexico at the start of June.
With pressure mounting on manager Bruce following two defeats and a draw versus Hull City on the opening weekend, Saturday’s vital win will give the ex-Sunderland boss much-needed breathing space at Villa Park in his first campaign in the dugout.
In a game which featured multiple Irish internationals, Glenn Whelan played 90 minutes in the win alongside Hourihane in midfield, while Wes Hoolahan was introduced for Norwich with 15 minutes remaining.
Elsewhere in the Championship ex-Cork City striker Sean Maguire assisted Jordan Hugill’s winner as Preston North End beat Reading 1-0, while Daryl Murphy scored a penalty as Nottingham Forrest defeated Middlesbrough 2-1.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
18-year-old Irish international Declan Rice makes first start for West Ham at St. Mary’s
Cunningham ruled out for ‘extended period’ just days after Ireland call-up
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Aston Villa brace Championship Conor Hourihane Goal Machine goals Irish Abroad Martin O'Neill Russia 2018