credit: Imago

Edward Bazeley

Wed 5 March 2025 16:29, UK

Unai Emery could get the perfect chance to bring Jack Grealish back to Aston Villa thanks to developments at Manchester City.

Grealish was a homegrown talent and a real star for Villa before he left his boyhood club in favour of joining Man City during the summer of 2021 in a deal worth £100m.

Since moving to the Etihad Stadium, the England international has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the Champions League.

But the current campaign is not going to plan for the Villa academy graduate, who has managed just six top-flight starts this season despite City’s lower than expected league position.

Man City plot move for Aston Villa midfielder

Pep Guardiola’s side began the season in search of an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title, but now find themselves sat fourth in the table and 20 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola’s men were also knocked out of the Champions League during the play-off stages, losing 6-3 on aggregate to La Liga giants Real Madrid.

City’s last hopes of clinching glory this season lie in the FA Cup, where they will take on Bournemouth in the quarter-finals.

But despite his side’s struggles this term, Grealish has failed to nail down regular football and could look to leave Man City.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s men have set their sights on Villa academy graduate Jacob Ramsey, who has made over 150 senior appearances for Emery’s side at the age of just 23.

According to TBR Football, City are interested in signing Ramsey and would have to pay over £50m for his signature.

Man City’s Ramsey interest could open the door for Grealish to make his Villa return

If Ramsey does quit Aston Villa in favour of moving to Man City, Emery and co would clearly have to utilise the transfer market in order to source a replacement.

But City’s interest in Ramsey could hand Villa the perfect bargaining chip to seal Grealish’s return to his boyhood club.

While Grealish has not always been handed the best reception from the Villa Park faithful since leaving for Guardiola’s side, he was a real superstar in the West Midlands who made 16 goal contributions during his last Premier League season in claret and blue.

He would clearly be an ideal Ramsey replacement, as he can also play as a wideman on the left hand side, while the performances of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford show that Emery’s side could be the perfect destination for Grealish himself.

Similarly to the former Villa man, both Rashford and Asensio had lost their way at both Manchester United and PSG respectively, but they have re-ignited their past form after joining up with Emery and co.

If Grealish returned to Villa Park, it could be enough to get his career moving in the correct direction once again.