Aston Villa out to stop Jack Grealish doing something he’s never done in his career
Aston Villa are set to come up against a familiar face in Jack Grealish this weekend when they take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After being linked with a return to Villa, Jack Grealish ultimately ended up signing for Everton after being frozen out of the Manchester City team by Pep Guardiola last season.
Grealish left Villa in 2021 as one of the best players in the Premier League, but he struggled to hit those same heights consistently throughout his tenure in Manchester.
Ahead of the game between Everton and Villa this weekend, Unai Emery and Co. will be formulating a game plan to prevent Grealish from doing something he’s never done before in his career.
Jack Grealish yet to score or assist against Aston Villa
Despite missing out on Grealish this summer, the signing of Harvey Elliott was an impressive piece of business by Monchi.
Jadon Sancho also arrived in B6 on loan on deadline day, but Sancho’s arrival has been heavily criticised by Jamie Carragher.
One thing that cannot be questioned is Grealish’s form since his move to Merseyside.
- Grealish has four assists in three Premier League appearances so far for Everton
- Only two of those appearances were starts, with the winger playing a total of 196 minutes
- Grealish’s performances were pivotal in Everton’s back-to-back wins after their defeat against Leeds in their first game of the season
However, since leaving Villa in 2021, Grealish has yet to score or assist against his former club
Whilst at Manchester City, Grealish played against Villa on two occasions, once on 12 January 2021, and again on 21 December 2024, with the winger unable to register a goal contribution in either game.
The travelling Villa supporters will be hoping Grealish is kept quiet once again, but this will be harder with Matty Cash’s injury being described as ‘severe’ according to Poland’s manager.
Jack Grealish affection for Aston Villa still clear
Considering Grealish’s evident affection for Villa, considering he came through the academy and grew up supporting the club, some supporters may be confused as to how he ended up in Merseyside this summer.
Speaking to The Telegraph back in 2021, Grealish had this to say about leaving his boyhood club.
“You can’t imagine how hard it was for me to leave,
“I came back and had to address all the players and staff. There were about 70 people there. I spoke for about a minute and a half, then I had to stop because I had a lump in my throat and was crying.”
If their former captain does score against them this weekend, fans may question Monchi as to how Grealish was not back in a claret and blue shirt in the first place.
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