return of the jack
Jack Grealish opens up on returning to Villa Park for Premier League clash as Manchester City player and was in tears when he left boyhood club Aston Villa
Jack Grealish has opened up on his move away from Aston Villa as he prepares to head back to Villa Park.
Grealish left his boyhood club in the summer to join Man City in a blockbuster £100million transfer.
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The 25-year-old had mixed feelings about leaving the club he loves so much, and admitted he was hesitant about going back.
Villa invited Grealish to watch one of their games, but he was unsure of the reception he would get.
Now he heads back with his new club on Wednesday for their Premier League clash.
Grealish told : “I knew some people would be unhappy when I left, and I can see why some were like that, but I gave my all for the club every single year I was there. If I score, I’m not going to be celebrating.
“At the end of the day I’m Jack Grealish from Solihull who loves the Villa. That will never change – I’ve had a season ticket since I was four and been a fan my whole life.
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“I was so close to coming to the West Ham game [in October], as we’d played on Saturday against Palace. I was invited to sit with Christian [Purslow, Villa’s chief executive] but I wasn’t actually sure of the reception I was going to get so I didn’t go.
“Fingers crossed it will be a good one on Wednesday. I’ll clap all four sides of the ground no matter what. If I get booed it will be a bit awkward!”
He admitted he found it tough to say his goodbyes to Aston Villa and said he owed them everything.
Grealish added: “You can’t imagine how hard it was for me to leave,” he says. “I went for a run in the morning, a load of people took photographs of me and it was all on social [media] that I was staying.
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“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.
“I was a bit surprised by some of the backlash when I left. I’d never want a toxic relationship with anyone there. I owe everything to them and I wouldn’t be at City without Villa.”
Grealish suffered a knock during the international break and has been out of the City team.
Manager Pep Guardiola said: "Yesterday was Jack's first minutes with the team. Phil (Foden) too.
"Both will make a test to see if they can travel to Birmingham."
BETTING SPECIAL - Get Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota all to score at 7/1
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