As Manchester City prepare to face Aston Villa in a high-stakes Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2025, all eyes are on Jack Grealish. The 29-year-old winger, once the heartbeat of Villa Park, is tipped to start against his boyhood club, a decision that has sparked intrigue given Pep Guardiola’s recent choices. Grealish’s limited minutes this season have baffled fans and pundits alike, but former Premier League star Tim Sherwood believes this match could be a turning point for the England international, with Champions League qualification on the line for both sides.
Grealish’s journey since his £100 million move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021 has been a rollercoaster. Hailed as a transformative talent, he dazzled in City’s 2023 Treble-winning campaign, showcasing his flair and tenacity. Yet, this season has been a struggle. Injuries have sidelined him, and he’s started just six of City’s 20 Premier League matches, with only 14 appearances overall. His sole start in the last four games came against Leicester City, where he scored the opener in a 2-0 victory, a reminder of his potential to ignite City’s attack. Despite this, Guardiola’s preference for wingers like Savinho and Jeremy Doku has left Grealish on the bench, including a late cameo in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton on April 19, 2025. “It’s baffling,” one supporter remarked on social media, echoing the sentiment that Guardiola’s reluctance to start Grealish hints at a possible rift.
Sherwood, however, remains optimistic about Grealish’s prospects. Speaking on a popular football podcast, he predicted that Guardiola would hand Grealish the chance to shine against Villa. “I’m still confident that Grealish will be given the chance to impress when Villa travel to Manchester,” Sherwood said, emphasizing the emotional weight of the fixture. For Grealish, a Solihull native and lifelong Villa fan, facing his former club is more than a game—it’s a homecoming. He captained Villa to promotion in 2019, cementing his status as a club legend before his blockbuster transfer. “It’s a club that is so close to my heart, and I definitely hope to go back there,” Grealish admitted earlier this year, fueling speculation about a potential return.
The matchup carries added drama given City’s recent struggles. A shocking run of nine losses in 12 matches before Christmas saw them slip to fourth in the Premier League, 20 points behind leaders Liverpool. Villa, under Unai Emery, have soared to fifth, just one point above City, thanks to a 2-1 victory over the champions in December 2024. That day, Grealish played the full 90 minutes but was overshadowed by Villa’s Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers, earning a yellow card in a losing effort. The defeat highlighted City’s vulnerability and Grealish’s muted impact, with only two goals and two assists across all competitions this season.
Guardiola’s handling of Grealish has drawn scrutiny. After a heated on-pitch exchange following a goalless draw against Arsenal in 2024, the manager sarcastically claimed, “I did it for the cameras, for my ego.” More recently, he challenged Grealish to “rebel” and rediscover the street-football flair that defined his Villa days. “I saw that glimpse that ‘I want to rebel, I want to show the manager how wrong he is,’” Guardiola said after a rare Grealish appearance. Yet, his decision to favor Savinho, whose “incredible connection” with Erling Haaland has yielded results, has kept Grealish sidelined. The Brazilian’s two assists in a 4-1 win over West Ham in January 2025 underscored his growing importance, leaving Grealish to fight for his place.
For Grealish, the Villa clash is a chance to silence doubters. His dribbling prowess and ability to draw fouls remain unmatched, with stats showing he ranks among City’s top ball-carriers. A strong performance could cement his role in a squad facing a summer overhaul, with names like John Stones, Ederson, and Kevin De Bruyne linked with exits. Villa, meanwhile, are eyeing a Champions League spot, and a Grealish masterclass could tip the scales. As transfer rumors swirl—some suggesting a Villa return—his performance will be watched closely. Will he rise to the occasion or remain City’s most expensive enigma? The stage is set for a defining chapter in Grealish’s career.