CONOR HOURIHANE AND Glenn Whelan were the match-winners on Saturday afternoon as Aston Villa edged Sheffield Wednesday in a stunning 4-2 thriller in the Championship.
Hourihane notched his side into the lead with a measured half-volley inside the box to bring Steve Bruce’s side 3-2 ahead in the dying stages, with Robert Snodgrass adding a fourth to ensure the victory in the last minute.
The sides had been drawn level twice before as they exchanged blows in a fraught game at Hillsborough, with Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan equalising with a little over twenty minutes to go.
Snodgrass delivered a dangerous cross aimed towards the back post, with 34-year-old Whelan on hand to nudge a header past goalkeeper Joseph Wildsmith to make it 2-2.
The stage was set for a late, great winner and Hourihane stood up to be counted.
A corner crossed into the box was poorly cleared and the 27-year-old supplied an excellent half-volley which flew into the bottom corner to push his side into the lead for the first time all afternoon.
Hourihane has enjoyed a brilliant season in a Villa side which also features Ireland striker Scott Hogan.
The midfielder has scored nine goals in the Championship already this season, averaging close to a goal every three games for Bruce’s side.
With Saturday’s win — their sixth in eighth games — Villa move up to third place in the Championship, just one point adrift of second-placed Cardiff, who have a game in hand.
Glenn Whelan (!) goal #avfc pic.twitter.com/JVMrQX3oeI
— Kristoffer Freiding (@KristofferF) February 24, 2018
2-3 Villa!!! Hourihane👊🏽 #avfc pic.twitter.com/EMru2KB4BF
— Kristoffer Freiding (@KristofferF) February 24, 2018
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Thought it might be a while before Villa were back knocking on the Premier League door. Don’t know why now – they’ve been so impressive.
West Brom out, Villa back in. Normality returns to the West Midlands.
@Alan J. McKenna: fingers crossed. Snodgrass and Johnstone in goals have been our best players, both on loan so hopefully they’ll sign
O’neill must start playin hourihane in his best position.hes in great form!
@Barry Bolton: He wont though we all know it.
@Barry Bolton: What is his best position though? I think the Irish management have openly said he needs to improve if he’s playing in the middle (like he was for Villa beside Glenn). Not sure if he would be accommodated at the tip of the diamond like Wes was (sometimes). Hopefully he can make some position in our midfield his own because we desperately need his goals.
Villa seem to be on song for a return to the premiership ? And I wouldn’t write of Fulham of late either , a tough place to come out of is the championship ? Results are never a given ?
Villa were good but I have never seen a more disgraceful refereeing perfomance in my life.