How Unai Emery truly felt about Jack Grealish return at Aston Villa

Jack Grealish was linked with a move from Manchester City to Aston Villa throughout the summer.

It was a busy summer in B6 and it had looked as if the Englishman could be set for a homecoming.

With Villa losing creative forces like Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, there was always going to be a need for fresh faces.

Alejandro Garnacho came in earlier in the window and was later joined by Ibrahim Mbaye.

That didn't stop links to Grealish from cropping up right until the end of the window as we delve into what Unai Emery made of a potential deal.

Did Jack Grealish come close to joining Aston Villa?

There was a point in the summer that it seemed likely that the 30-year-old could be set for a claret and blue comeback.

Various reports emerged that sparked the fanbase to question whether it was something they all wanted.

The result was largely unanimous as many felt it was exactly what Villa needed after such a turbulent window.

It didn't happen in the end as Grealish joined Everton on loan, but it actually turns out that Emery didn't really want him anyway.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Spaniard "had not shown much appetite" for the academy graduate's return.

Villa had sounded out his camp, but a move has been described as "an outside option".

What has Grealish said about an Aston Villa return?

There was controversy when the attacking midfielder departed for Manchester City in 2021.

The fan reaction was one of anger and frustration as they were totally gutted to lose the star man and talisman.

That was seen on his first return to Villa Park with the Citizens, but Grealish has always said he'd want to play for the Villans again in the future.

In a 2021 interview with The Telegraph he said: "It’s a club that is so close to my heart and I definitely hope to go back there.

"That’s always been in my mind. Ashley Young has done it and I want to do the same, 100 per cent."

It hasn't happened this summer, but it is clear to see it's something that the Bodymoor Heath graduate wants to do at some point in the near future.