No words needed from Grealish

COMMENT By Phil Jennings, Villa Roar

ASTON Villa officials stopped Jack Grealish giving any interviews before the Blues derby at St Andrew’s – in case the captain said something he might regret later.

But he seems to be making up for lost time in the weeks following Villa’s 1-0 win over their closest rival

Being clattered by the opposition after just five minutes and then thumped by a soon-to-be jailbound pitch invader only served to wind Grealish up.

Not only did he score the winning goal, the Villa midfielder has wasted few opportunities to rub it in since then.

And Grealish made his own subtle, yet telling, comment on Friday’s decision to dock Blues nine points for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

No words were needed from Grealish as he gave his own opinion on the blow that was dealt to Garry Monk’s side who now find themselves in a battle to keep out of relegation trouble.

Grealish simply ‘liked’ a tweet from Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett when he relayed the news of Birmingham’s penalty.

That will not have gone down well at St Andrew’s – but it is an indicator that there is no love lost between the 23-year-old and Villa’s neighbours.

At this rate, it could be some time before Grealish has to face Birmingham again. He is likely to be in the Premier League next season no matter what happens with Tottenham ready to come back in if Villa stay in the Championship.

And the EFL ruling has put paid to Blues’ hopes of reaching the top six this season.

It is difficult to blame Grealish for reacting in that way considering what happened to him on what was his first game at St Andrew’s as a Villa player.

Grealish would probably have had little sympathy for Blues anyway, growing up as a Villa fan.

But clearly, the events of that controversy derby day left an understandably bad taste in the mouth.

Perhaps it is best Grealish does not have a return visit to Small Heath planned any time soon!