Jack Grealish, despite having left his boyhood club Aston Villa in 2021 to join Manchester City for a record-breaking transfer, proved that his heart still beats for the Villans when he joined their fans in a pub via a video call during their Champions League clash with Club Brugge. The England international’s surprise appearance was a moment of connection with supporters who, despite their team’s tough performance that evening, couldn’t help but sing his praises.
**WHAT HAPPENED?**
Jack Grealish may now wear the famous sky blue of Manchester City, but Aston Villa will always hold a special place in his heart. The 28-year-old, who made a high-profile move from Villa Park to the Etihad two years ago for a British record transfer fee, showed his continued affection for his former team by engaging with Villa supporters during their Champions League match against Club Brugge. Villa may have suffered a difficult 1-0 defeat in Belgium, but Grealish’s spontaneous gesture brought some cheer to fans, who shared a brief but memorable moment with their former captain.
The video call with the Villa fans, which quickly made the rounds on social media, showed the supporters gathered in a pub, raising their pints and chanting for their former star. Even though Villa’s performance on the night was far from ideal, the fans could be heard singing a unique, tongue-in-cheek chant dedicated to Grealish, which was sure to put a smile on the midfielder’s face.
**WHAT FANS CHANTED**
The fans were in full voice, belting out a chant that reflected their fondness for Grealish, even after his move to Manchester City. They sang:
*”Take me on up to the spirit in the sky,
It’s where I want to go when I die.
When I die and they lay me to rest,
I’m going to go on the p*ss with Jack Grealish.”*
The chant, which combines elements of a classic song with a nod to Grealish’s fun-loving persona, added an element of humor and warmth to what was otherwise a disappointing evening for the Villa fans. The fact that Grealish took the time to answer the call showed that, despite playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
**THE BIGGER PICTURE**
Although Grealish made an effort to brighten the evening for Villa supporters, the reality of the night was far from ideal for both Aston Villa and his current club, Manchester City. Villa’s defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League was a setback for their ambitions in Europe. Despite the loss, fans were comforted by the fact that their former captain had taken the time to connect with them.
Meanwhile, Grealish’s current team, Manchester City, also suffered a disappointing result in the same midweek round of Champions League matches. City, usually one of the competition’s most dominant sides, were handed a heavy 4-1 loss by Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP in Lisbon. The defeat marked another tough night for Pep Guardiola’s side, who have faced some challenging results this season.
However, it’s worth noting that Grealish was absent from City’s squad for this match due to injury. The England international, who had been dealing with fitness issues, was not included in the matchday squad for the trip to Portugal. His absence only compounded City’s woes in the Champions League, but fans were hopeful that the team would recover in the coming weeks.
**WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH?**
Looking ahead, Grealish’s immediate future seems to be a bit uncertain, both at the club and international levels. City manager Pep Guardiola had ruled Grealish out of action until after the international break in November. However, in a surprising move, Grealish was included in England manager Lee Carsley’s squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
The inclusion of Grealish in the England squad, despite being sidelined at club level, raised some eyebrows. Guardiola, who has always been keen on managing player workloads carefully, may not be thrilled with the decision, as Grealish’s injury was expected to keep him out for a bit longer. The timing of his return could cause some tension between the player, his club, and the national team.
For Grealish, the opportunity to represent England in the Nations League is significant, especially after missing out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad earlier this year. His inclusion in the upcoming fixtures is likely seen as a chance for Grealish to show his form and regain fitness ahead of major international tournaments next year.
At the same time, Manchester City will be keen to ensure that Grealish does not rush back into action before he is fully fit. The club will be hoping that his recovery is closely monitored, especially given their ongoing injury concerns, which have affected key players like Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and others in recent months.
For now, Grealish’s focus will likely be on getting back to full fitness and contributing to both City and England in the coming months. His bond with Aston Villa and their fans remains strong, and his interaction with the Villa supporters during their Champions League tie was a testament to his lasting connection to the club that helped him rise to prominence.
As the international break approaches, the eyes of both Manchester City and England fans will be on Grealish to see if he can return to action and deliver the performances that made him one of the most exciting talents in English football. However, for now, fans of Aston Villa will treasure the memories of their brief but heartwarming moment with their former captain, Jack Grealish, who, despite being a star at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, has not forgotten his roots.
Jack Grealish on FaceTime to some Villa lads at a pub in Brugge after their game 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/bbNEVplLHU
— george (@StokeyyG2) November 7, 2024