Aston Villa fans called out over Jack Grealish after ‘Huge’ Alexander-Arnold bombshell
Aston Villa fans have never fully forgiven Jack Grealish for his move to Manchester City.
Back in December, Villa beat Manchester City 2-1, but Grealish stole the show when he responded to jibes from fans by holding up three fingers, signalling the number of Premier League titles he has won.
That led to a serious debate over who was in the right, with Michael Owen calling Villa supporters out for their behaviour.
Aston Villa comparison made in Trent Alexander-Arnold move
Owen may have called out the Villa fans, but it is now supporters of his old club who have been guilty of disregarding a player.
Since the news broke that Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Anfield for Real Madrid in the summer when his contract expires, Liverpool fans haven’t reacted to the news very well.
With the player a boyhood Liverpool supporter, journalist Matt Law has made a comparison with Grealish’s situation at Villa.
Writing on X (26 March), Law wrote: “People are free to think and feel what they want but I do think the Trent situation should remind Villa fans who boo Grealish that he could have let his contract run down and left for free or for peanuts.
“But he didn’t, he signed a new deal and left for £100million. That’s been huge in the club’s transformation.”
Grealish did Villa a favour
This is football, and from a supporter’s perspective, emotions are always going to take over in situations, so you can understand why some Villa fans are prickly towards Grealish since his exit.
He was their star player at the time, and it always hurts to lose such a vital part of the team, especially when he is now struggling to reach his full potential at City.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2020/21 | 26 | 6 | 10 |
| 2019/20 | 36 | 8 | 6 |
However, as pointed out by Law, Grealish did make sure he changed his situation so that it would protect the interests of his boyhood club.
Whether supporters are fans of him since his exit or not, no one can deny that he brought the Villans a great sum of money, which they have been able to use to reach new levels under Emery’s management.
With Villa now in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and FA Cup as well as competing for another season of European football in the Premier League, most supporters will not be thinking too much about the past.
You can understand what Law is trying to say, and, understandably, Liverpool supporters may be frustrated not to get money for Alexander-Arnold.
However, how much of the criticism directed at Grealish is any more than a bit of jest is questionable.