Jack Grealish told BT Sport that his ‘only negative’ about Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is that he substituted him during his side’s win against Newcastle last month.
The cog in Aston Villa’s wheel, Grealish, has taken his game to unbelievable heights ever since Smith walked through the doors of Bodymoor Heath in 2018.
Whilst it was evident back then that Grealish was heading towards great things, he still had to take those steps up and his fellow Villa fan has played a massive part along the way.
When Grealish praised his manager for how much he has helped him over the years, he hilariously shared one instance that didn’t leave him too pleased.
“Massive [influence on me],” said Grealish. “I cannot give him enough praise.
“The only negative I can give him is that he took me off the other week and I was fuming I was.
“I was devastated. When my number went up I went, ‘nah, surely he’s got the wrong number there’.
“But he has been excellent since he has come in. I cannot remember the first game but I think he took me off my first game (Swansea) as well in the Championship.”
From being mid-table in the Championship to now chasing Europe, it has been some turnaround for the Midlands giants.
After Villa’s win against Arsenal yesterday, the ninth-placed side have now opened up a four-point game on the Gunners, and they have also played two games less.
Villa are also one-point behind seventh-placed Tottenham, but once again, they have played a game extra.
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