Conor Hourihane secures £3m Aston Villa switch

Conor Hourihane says he aims to “hit the ground running” after completing a £3m move to Aston Villa yesterday.

The Corkman moves to Villa Park in a three-and-a-half year deal after his eye-catching form for Barnsley this season.

Hourihane is focused on making a big impression on new boss Steve Bruce and could make his debut against Brentford next Tuesday night, as Villa look to get back into the Championship’s play-off picture — they sit nine points off sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, and five off eighth-placed Barnsley.