Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane has taken to his personal Twitter account to describe his international debut as a “dream come true.”

Hourihane featured for the Republic of Ireland last night, playing 63 minutes of their 1-0 defeat to Iceland, a just reward for an excellent season in the Sky Bet Championship.

The 26-year old impressed for Barnsley during the first-half of the season, where he bagged six goals and 11 assists, as the Tykes surprisingly challenged for the Play-Offs.

His early season form earned Hourihane a move to Villa Park during the January transfer window, where after a difficult start, things are starting to pick up.

Hourihane has scored once for Villa, adding a further two assists, and has played a crucial part in helping Steve Bruce’s side turn their season around.

In late February, Villa seemed to be heading into a relegation battle, but five victories from their last six fixtures has lifted Bruce’s side into the top-half of the table.

Hourihane will return from international duty later this week, and is likely to be involved when Villa face Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.

Villa fans… Have Hourihane’s performances warranted an international cap? Let us know in the comments!