Dean Smith has only had one game as Norwich City head coach, an eventful game at home against Southamption that the Canaries ended up winning 2-1.  However, the transfer rumours have started already with the new man reported in a number of online media outlets to be plotting a raid on his previous club Aston Villa.

It has been reported on Sunday that newly appointed Norwich head coach Dean Smith is plotting a reunion with midfielder Conor Hourihane when the window reopens at the start of January.

Hourihane moved to Aston Villa at a time when Steve Bruce was still the manager of the Midlands team, but he then went on to feature a further 74 times under Smith, scoring on 15 occasions, and adding a vital further 14 assists.

The 30-year-old also played a important role in Villa's play-off campaign as Dean Smith went on to lead them to promotion back to the top division and the Premier League in 2019.

Hourihane is currently away from Villa on loan at Championship side Sheffield United but he has not been a regular starter at Bramall Lane.