The new Premier League season is just a week away meaning fans of every club are wondering who they will see line-up for them on the opening day. Aston Villa are no exception with some supporters debating who could start at defensive midfield against Tottenham Hotspur.
New arrival Douglas Luiz, who joined the club in a £15m deal from Manchester City, is yet to even link up with the squad and it appears he is still in Brazil whilst he waits for a work permit.
The club have also had a bid for Baptiste Santamaria knocked back by Angers SCO whilst Marvelous Nakamba has only just been announced so next week may come too soon for the Zimbabwean midfielder.
A number of fans have been discussing whether Conor Hourihane continues his role as defensive midfielder going into the new Premier League campaign after playing there for most of pre-season.
A couple are against the idea claiming that the 28-year-old wouldn’t cut it against a team like Spurs, insisting that it needs to be Luiz. One fan said he loves Hourihane but not as a defensive midfielder, suggesting that Henri Lansbury or Birkir Bjarnason would do a job there instead.
Others were behind the Republic of Ireland international with one supporter questioning why the midfielder gets any hate at all, brandishing him as class. Another member of the Villa Park fanbase said there is no reason to suggest why he should be dropped so he may as well get the chance to play.
You can read the best of the reaction below:
Really hope not. I like Hourihane but he won't cut it against Spurs. Luiz needs to be there.
— Captain Jack. (@10Grealish) July 31, 2019
I’m impressed with lansbury from preseason… reckon he could fill the space there too
— Ellie Aldyth (@elliedaley87) July 31, 2019
No.
I love Conor but not as a DM.
If stuck, Lansbury or Thor will do a job there. We’ve two centre backs that can also do it.
The deal will be done, though. Chill.
— Bairdy (@dickiebaird) July 31, 2019
Yes. Don’t get all the hate he gets. He’s class
— mãłæçhŷ ???? (doing a fulham) (@MasterMoraess) August 1, 2019
No, sorry. He doesn’t offer enough defensively away from home especially against spurs.
— The AVFC Faithful (@AVFCFaithful_) July 31, 2019
Nakamba will be announced by then, but I think Conor would fine… also who knows about Luiz he may fly over soon
— Archie Davies (@adaviesavfc) July 31, 2019
He’s a bit like Jed to me we’ve got no reason to drop him so we may aswell give him a chance
— Archie Cullum (@archie_cullum) July 31, 2019
Forget Connor I would stick Lansbury there give him a go, over Connor because Connor would be better going forward #avfc
— Dan maher (@dan_maher619) July 31, 2019