How the Irish fared: Conor Hourihane keeps Villa on track for big dance

Aston Villa owner Dr Tony Xia has challenged their Cork-born midfielder Conor Hourihane to perform his Irish dance party-piece if Villa secure promotion back to the Premier League.

The Chinese billionaire was hoping to see Hourihane’s proposed goal celebration on Saturday when his ninth of the season gave Villa a crucial 3-2 stoppage-time lead at Sheffield Wednesday. Their 4-2 win, consolidated by a late Robert Snodgrass penalty, keeps the midlands club four point behind second-placed Cardiff City, who beat fellow promotion chasers Bristol City 1-0 yesterday, Kenneth Zohore netting in the 82nd minute.

Pressure on Hourihane to display those dancefloor moves was exerted on social media by his former Ireland underage teammate Jack Grealish.