Long serving Conor Hourihane is set to move onto pastures new amidst loan links.

Amongst a number of potential loan moves, The Irishman is set to be the latest player to part ways with Aston Villa after various reports that the Villan’s are poised to sign Morgan Sanson from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille.

Conor Hourihane has been a fantastic servant to Aston Villa in his five years at the cub following his arrival from Barnsley for just over £3,000,000 in the January transfer window of 2016/17.

However, almost five years to the day it appears that Hourihane is on his way back to the Championship for the remainder of the 20/21 campaign and potentially the end of his career at Villa Park.

In his half a decade at B6, Hourihane made 150 appearances, during that time he has gone onto score and assist 62 times. Most notably his goal against Birmingham City in a 2-0 home win in the Second City derby as well as playing an Iniesta esque pass to tee up El Ghazi’s goal in the play-off final which saw Villa transgress to the Premier League.

Having been linked with Swansea City, Bournemouth and Watford, Hourihane is a player that would improve a number of Championship teams midfield providing a threat on goal, the vision and ability to pick out a pass. It’s bewildering as to how the 29-year-old hasn’t satisfied the Villa coaching staff.

Renowned for his prominent set-piece ability, Hourihane has failed to force his way back into the Villa starting line-up following the arrival of Ross Barkley.

Despite Barkley’s recent injury, Dean Smith hasn’t stuck with the Irishman in the middle of Villa’s fierce midfield. Smith has opted for a faster, more attacking approach by utilising Bertrand Traoré in the midfield three.

But who is the replacement for Hourihane? Following recent links from Fabrizio Romano, Morgan Sanson is set to be on his way to Villa Park for an outrageously cheap fee as a result of France’s main football broadcasting outlet pulling the plug, forcing teams across the league to shift their prized assets.

Confirmed. Talks opened and negotiations on between Aston Villa and OM for Morgan Sanson. ? #AVFC #OM https://t.co/HRN1Ihlszs

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 18, 2021

The Frenchman is poised to swap Ligue 1 and the Champions League for the opportunity to ply his trade in the Premier League. So far this season, Sanson has scored twice and assisted his teammates five times on just eleven matches for Marseille.

Villa are amongst a number of Premier League outfits who have shown interest in the 26-year-old in recent transfer windows, but it is likely that we can see Sanson head to Villa Park as Smith looks to bolster his choices from the bench as well as having his players fight for their spot at the club.

The Villan’s have reportedly already opened talks with Marseille for the Frenchman’s signature. With the OM’s boss, Andre Villas-Boas announcing

“He is a boy who interests English teams because of his characteristics, and it is possible something could happen.”

A team that has lacked an impact player from the bench so far this season, the addition of Sanson will provide this for Smith’s youthful side who are yet to reach their prime.

Villa currently sit in eleventh place with four games in hand on those around them, however, face a number of challenging fixtures which can make or break their campaign; the potential arrival of Sanson would look to bolster Villa’s chances of a top ten finish.

Hourihane will be missed by the Villa faithful having provided numerous memorable moments during his spell at the club but another shot of first-team football and another potential promotion for the Championship will have to do for the Irishman.

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