In the latest episode of The Athletic's 1874 podcast (March 5), Aston Villa correspondent Gregg Evans has said that he would be starting midfielder Conor Hourihane.

What did he say?

Well, the journalist and host Dan Bardell were reflecting on the Carabao Cup final, and talked about the brilliant delivery from a corner the Republic of Ireland international put in late on having come on as a second-half substitute against Manchester City at Wembley.

Evans was particularly passionate about the former Barnsley man, saying (12:40): "I would have played Conor Hourihane."

He added: "I’ve said this week after week. I would play Hourihane. He doesn't do as much as some of the other midfielders in terms of the dirty side of the game and tackling. But I would always have him in there because of his contribution for goals. He always seems to pop up with a goal or an assist, so I'd definitely have him in there."

Deserves more game time?

Incredibly despite Evans clearly being a big fan of the 29-year-old, he hasn't been named on the team-sheet by Dean Smith since January 12 when the Midlands outfit were beaten 6-1 at home by Pep Guardiola's City, and has only played 35 top-flight minutes during that period.

>Red Herring or Real Hero: Only hardcore Villa fans will get all of them right....

It's not even as though Villa have been in good form since then either, winning one and losing three of their Premier League fixtures since.

Meanwhile, he was only an unused substitute in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Leicester City, as he has been truly cast aside by Smith in recent weeks.

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The use of a 5-2-3 formation has hardly helped Hourihane, and the change back to a 4-4-2 system against City last weekend could prove to be beneficial in the coming weeks as Villa continue their battle against relegation.

Seven goals and two assists in 24 outings in 2019/20 shows what he is capable of, and perhaps suggests he needs more minutes on the pitch.

Let's see if Evans get his wish.

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