By Tom Blackburn
Jack Grealish recalled Dalian Atkinson’s greatest goal as he paid tribute on Twitter to the former Aston Villa striker following his death from being shot with a Taser by police.
Police revealed a man had died in the early hours of Monday morning after they were called to an address in Telford, Shropshire.
Sky News confirmed on Twitter that the man was Atkinson, 48, who played for Aston Villa between 1991 and 1995.
Update – 48-year-old man who died after he was tasered by police in Telford has been named as former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) August 15, 2016
Boyhood Villa fan Grealish took to Twitter on Monday to send his condolences to the family and friends of Atkinson, while reminiscing about the former striker’s career.
RIP Dalian Atkinson. Loved watching videos of him & always remember his great goal vs Wimbledon. My thoughts are with his family & friends.
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish1) August 15, 2016
Atkinson joined Villa from Real Sociedad for £1.7million and played 76 times across the old First Division and Premier League, scoring 23 times before leaving for Fenerbahce.
The goal he scored against Wimbledon, as mentioned by Grealish, was shared on Twitter with Atkinson running from deep in his own half to score.
https://twitter.com/matchday_photos/status/765134261070495744
He is also fondly remembered by Villa fans for his performance and crucial goal he scored in the 1994 League Cup final as the Midlands club beat Manchester United at Wembley.
Atkinson was also a key figure in the side under Ron Atkinson that came runners-up to United in the 1992-93 season, when he formed a lethal strike partnership with Dean Saunders.
In other Aston Villa news, Gary Lineker also reacts on Twitter to the death of Atkinson.
