Aston Villa will be hoping to get back to business next weekend as they take on local rivals Birmingham City following the international break.

A stunning performance last time out by Dean Smith's men saw them dismantle Derby County at Pride Park, and many are now expecting the Villans to go on a run and get themselves right in the promotion picture over the Christmas period.

Key to their form is going to be the performances of some of their best players, and one of the players we here at FLW think will be crucial going forward is midfielder Conor Hourihane.

The former Barnsley man has bags of talent at this level, and as well as being deadly from free kicks and corners, he is also capable of influencing games from the middle of the park, something which is going to be key for the Villans as they look to make a charge at the playoffs.

Hourihane has taken his time to settle at Villa, but under Dean Smith he appears to be finding his feet, and if he can get back to the form he showed at Barnsley some years back, Villa will have one of the best midfielders in the league.

Capable of scoring the spectacular and being able to create, as his five assists this season show, Hourihane is going to be absolutely key if Villa are to have any sort of success this campaign.

Villa fans, what do you think? Do you agree? Let us know in the comments!