Angry Jack Grealish snaps back at Aston Villa boo boys after nightmare return to Villa Park as relationship between former hometown hero and old side turns sour
Jack Grealish snapped back at Aston Villa fans who booed his return to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon with a reminder of his Manchester City achievements after the final whistle.
The £100million City man left Villa in 2021 and was welcomed back to his old club with a chorus of boos every time he had a touch during City’s limp 2-1 Premier League defeat.
And Grealish was keen to offer an on-pitch retort as he held up three fingers to signify the three Premier League titles he has won under Pep Guardiola, letting his temper get the better of him at full-time.
Grealish was part of the Catalan’s historic Treble-winning squad in 2023, adding to the list of his accolades, but has been struggling two seasons later.
The England international has failed to score in club colours in his last 45 matches, and was unable to help his side turn around their lacklustre form on Saturday.
The hosts struck first on home soil, courtesy of an early goal from Jhon Duran inside the first 20 minutes, and were able to double their lead through Man City academy graduate Morgan Rogers in the second-half.
Jack Grealish was keen to remind those who had booed him from the Villa Park stands of his achievements with Manchester City
Grealish spoke to the stewards after the final whistle after being targeted by fans throughout
It was no happy homecoming for the 29-year-old – but Villa fans were the overall winners
Hopes of the latest of turnarounds were sparked by Phil Foden two minutes into added time, but Guardiola’s side could not find an equaliser as they were condemned to their ninth defeat in their last 12 matches.
Grealish’s temper had flared earlier in the match when the 29-year-old was involved in a half-time altercation with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
As the game reached the halfway point, Grealish could be seen appearing to protest the lack of stoppage time in the first half.
Then, as both teams made their way off the pitch the England international could be seen exchanging words with his former team-mate Martinez.
Erling Haaland played peacemaker, getting between the two men as they remained animated on their way off the pitch.
The conversation continued down the tunnel and the Argentine was subsequently booked by referee Peter Bankes for his involvement in the incident.
Man City are in the midst of their worst-ever run of form under Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension just last month to prolong his stay at the Etihad beyond the end of the season.
The serial champions are some way off their usual place in the title race with Christmas fast approaching, and after the match, Peter Crouch added his voice to those sceptical the club will be able to mount a second-half-of-the-season title charge.
Grealish is in the midst of a goalscoring drought at a diffcult moment for the serial winners
Manager Pep Guardiola is overseeing the worst run of form at the Etihad of his decorated reign
‘I think you have to (write City off in title race),’ the former Premier League forward said on TNT Sports. ‘They’re not showing signs of title-winning form.’
Guardiola and Amadou Onana were pictured engaged in an awkward post-match exchange after Aston Villa’s win.
A frustrated Guardiola waded over to the two players and shook hands with the Villa midfielder before making his way down the tunnel.
The exchange led to some supporters on social media speculating that Guardiola was attempting to entice the Belgian to join his side in the January window.
