This Aston Villa regular saved from axe against Nottingham Forest by Taylor illness – report
By Harry Sykes
Jack Grealish was saved from the Aston Villa axe for the team’s defeat against Nottingham Forest only by an illness to Neil Taylor, according to a report.
The Mirror claim the Villa attacking midfielder was handed a last-minute reprieve after originally being pencilled in for a place on the substitute’s bench at the City Ground
It is said that manager Steve Bruce only named Grealish in his midfield because new signing Taylor fell ill on Friday.
The 21-year-old subsequently had a match to forget as he was sent off in the 78th minute of a match that Villa lost 2-1 defeat.
This has further place the Villa academy product in the spotlight in a campaign in which he has delivered only in fits and starts.
Grealish has been a regular under both Bruce and his predecessor Roberto Di Matteo, and started 19 of his 25 matches in all competitions.
His league return of three goals and five assists from 23 appearances, 17 of which have been starts, is creditable but many Villa fans were expecting more given his potential.
Bruce switched his formation to a 3-5-2 against Forest to accommodate new striker signing Scott Hogan and is likely to stick with it against Ipswich at Villa Park on Saturday.
Grealish is unavailable due to suspension, while Taylor is set to make his debut in a left wing-back role.
In other Aston Villa team news, this is the expected starting XI for Saturday’s clash against Ipswich.
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