Jack Grealish is one of the most exciting prospects for Aston Villa and this season may just be his biggest breakthrough yet. Having made a 45 minute appearance against Arsenal on the weekend under unfortunate circumstances, he seemed alive and injected fresh air into Villa park feeding the crowds ever growing opinion, but is it time to give Grealish a starting role? Let us have a look…
Grealish has made 3 appearances so far this season,
Stoke – 19 minutes (on for N’Zogbia)
| Pass Accuracy | Aerials Won | Touches | Tackles |
| 100% | 100% | 12 | 1 |
Hull City – 15 minutes (on for Richardson)
| Pass Accuracy | Aerials Won | Touches | Tackles |
| 33% | NA | 9 | NA |
Arsenal – 45 minutes (On for Wiemann)
| Pass Accuracy | Aerials Won | Touches | Tackles |
| 100% | NA | 23 | NA |
His accuracy during the Hull City game may have been lacking but he has looked comfortable and inspiring every time he has stepped onto the pitch. Grealish doesn’t fear getting forward or tracking back, he has a lot of energy and reads play well with his mind set on attacking and making chances. This was evident against Arsenal when he was always expecting the ball to come back to his feet when he was near the box, but it continued to find its way wide to Cissokho, that is a different story however.
What is stopping Grealish from getting a starting role? I have been wondering about Lamberts choice of selection and have stumbled more and more when ever I see Richardson play. The results have been going our way for most part of the season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work on the player selections to make it better right? So let’s take a quick look at Richardson’s performances this season in the same games.
Stoke – 90 minutes (Central role)
| Pass Accuracy | Aerials Won | Touches | Tackles |
| 59% | NA | 31 | 1 |
Hull City – 75 minutes (Right wing, replaced by Grealish)
| Pass Accuracy | Aerials Won | Touches | Shots | Tackles | Assists |
| 71% | 100% | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Arsenal – 77 Minutes (Left wing, replaced by N’Zogbia)
| Pass Accuracy | Aerials Won | Touches | Tackles |
| 53% | NA | 22 | 1 |
It is clear that Richardsons best game was when he was playing on the right wing, struggling to link play or even see much of the ball in other positions. Grealish touched the ball 23 times in a 45 minute window with 100% accuracy passing, compare that to Richardson’s 22 touches in 77 minutes and achieving just over 50% accuracy with passing. Statistics do not lie, and to give Richardson the benefit of the doubt, his best game so far was against Liverpool in the 0:1 win where he played the full game on the left wing with 31 touches and 81% pass completition. It was also in this game when I thought he wasn’t right to be on the field. The balls he did give away tended to be on the break where he over hit, under hit which broke the counter leading to another Liverpool skirmish. He seemed uneasy in the role, and when I look at his play compared to Grealish, it is an obvious choice for me. Come this Saturday, I would like to see Grealish start over Richardson.
UPDATED 23.09.14 -12:30pm
To give us all a little bit more encouragement and excitement for Mr Grealish, he has spoken to the BirminghamMail and said the following
My contract runs out at the end of the season but my eyes are on remaining at Villa
And for all those feeling negative about this weekends result to Arsenal, a quote from Jack Grealish via twitter.
Gutted about the result, was such a tough game to come on in to.. Definitely take 10 points out of 15 though! Support was great throughout
For all those who have access, it would be great if you could share/ retweet this post. Keep the faith. UTV.
Comments of Grealish, courtesy of http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/399924/Chelsea-and-Man-Utd-target-Jack-Grealish-addresses-his-Aston-Villa-future
However, the youngster looks set to sign a new four-year deal after declaring his allegiance to the club.
“I want to stay at Villa,” he told the Birmingham Mail. “My contract runs out at the end of the season but my eyes are on remaining at Villa.
“It’s just down to contract negotiations at the moment but I’m hopeful it will come in time.”
‘When asked if he could see himself leaving for another club, Grealish said: “No, of course not. I’m a lifelong fan. Even when I didn’t have a game during my loan spell at Notts County last season, I’d go down and watch as a supporter.
“I’ve been a season-ticket holder since I was four and joined the club at couple of years later. So to be playing for Villa in the Premier League and having the fans in the Holte End sing my name like they did against Hull is a dream come true.
“I’m going through one of those phases where I just can’t get enough.
“Having gotten a taste of it, I’m striving for more by trying to keep playing.”
I also understand, Grealish’s father is the one who represents him, so I am sure and have faith that he has Jack’s best interests at heart.
Sign On young Grealish and you will prove not only to be the best player that the academy has ever produced but a player Villa fans will be talking about for generations.
Those kinds of starlight forward statements are rarely seen nowadays or at least since the advent of agents.
A player openly stating his wish to stay at a club prior to contract negotiations and stating his long term goal to be there?
Thats refreshing at least
Don’t get me wrong, they are just words but still a change of pace form the usual posturing and bet hedging statements most players make in that position
He’s ‘got it’ just needs another couple years to mature. Spacial awareness is great, knows when to take one touch and when to turn n run. Don’t think he’ll start at weekend, first think Ivanovic will do is take him out the game with a swift dead leg…..And he’ll get away with it as per
He does look the real deal; skilful, accomplished on the ball, confident and savvy for an 18 year old. Hope he doesn’t become another Luke Moore.
I submitted a new article.. If someone could take a look at it. Cheers
Darren, I’ve just seen it. Good article and I’m just trying to think when to post it.
Probably tomorrow morning.
No problem.. Thanks Badger