‘Strange’: Some Aston Villa fans baffled as to why Dean Smith didn’t use £30k-a-week ace last night

A number of Aston Villa fans have been wondering why Dean Smith didn’t send Conor Hourihane on in last night’s Premier League defeat to Leeds.

The 29-year-old has made two league appearances for Villa this season, but remained on the bench for the following three top-flight games including last night.

Smith opted to stick with the same side that made it four wins from four against Leicester last time out, lining up in a 4-2-3-1.

(Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

However, Villa were completely overrun as Leeds pressed hard, chased down every ball, countered superbly and often attacked down the flanks, where the hosts were weak.

One fan felt Hourihane would’ve given one of John McGinn and Ross Barkley a rest, while another would’ve liked to see the £30,000-a-week man come on as part of a change to a midfield three.

Here is what some Villa supporters were saying on social media:

The midfield needing more bodies. Surely he knew that? Nakamba, Hourihane… the holes were there for everyone to see. Can’t go a whole season making 1 sub in every game

— Aza (@Aza0121_AVFC) October 23, 2020

Hourihane on now or there will be consequences

— James Lloyd (@LloydyAVFC) October 23, 2020

Get Davis and Hourihane on.

Their quality will win it for us.#AVLLEE #AVFC #UTV

— Villanous (@Villanous_) October 23, 2020

I really don’t see the point in both Barkley and Mcginn playing, it should be Hourihane + one of those.

— James Lloyd (@LloydyAVFC) October 23, 2020

Agreed. Also quite suprised McGinn has been so high up the pitch we have been exposed badly on the counter!

— Sean Logue (@villaman1988) October 23, 2020

Seems strange to have completely disregard Hourihane

— AVFC – Im NSWE we trust🦁 (@AvfcU) October 23, 2020

Should have taken Trez off earlier and put Hourihane in midfield to make it a 3 with Luiz/McGinn. Leaving Jack, Ollie and Ross to stay further forward giving us more of an outlet. Doing nothing to change the system to match them cost us the match.

— Adam Hilton (@ajhilton7) October 23, 2020

Fresh legs (Conor deserved a chance with McGinn and Barkley playing poorly)
Adapted to the problems on our wings-changing formation, getting more support to Cash
Hate to say it but Grealish really should have passed to Ollie after his epic run! He was wide open and better placed

— John Waldron (@johndtwaldron) October 23, 2020

After a goalless first half in the Midlands, Patrick Bamford slotted home on the rebound in the 55th minute following Rodrigo’s saved effort.

The Leeds man then smashed in a left-footed strike from the edge of the box on 67 minutes before curling home a deft effort inside the box seven minutes later.