Jack Grealish missed out once again through injury as Aston Villa beat Swansea 1-0 on Boxing Day.
Jack Grealish has praised Aston Villa duo Orjan Nyland and Conor Hourihane for their contributions during their side’s 1-0 win at Swansea City on Boxing Day.
Midfielder Hourihane headed Dean Smith’s side into the lead just after the hour mark in what was a pretty open game in Wales.
The home side were awarded a penalty in the 90th-minute when Anwar El-Ghazi brought down winger Nathan Dyer, but the subsequent penalty was saved by goalkeeper Nyland.
Playmaker Grealish, who has missed the last three matches through injury, stated on his personal Twitter account that it is ‘no surprise’ that Hourihane got on the scoresheet as he also congratulated Nyland for his last-minute heroics.
In their previous game, Villa blew a two-goal lead at home to Leeds United, which dented their chances of finishing in the promotion places this season.
However, that narrow win at the Liberty Stadium means ninth-placed Villa are now three points off the final playoff spot, which is currently occupied by Frank Lampard’s Derby County.
For Hourihane, he has now scored in back-to-back games for his club and has taken his goalscoring tally to four for the season added with his six assists.
Academy product Grealish, who has played alongside the Irishman in the middle of the park, will be hoping to be fit for his side’s away clash at Preston this Saturday.
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