Jack Grealish shares heartfelt response to Aston Villa tribute
Jack Grealish has paid tribute on social media after Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76.
Osbourne’s death was announced on 22 July after a 22-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, and came just 17 days after Black Sabbath had played their final ever gig at Aston Villa‘s Villa Park Stadium.
Villa Park hosted Black Sabbath’s last performance in front of 45,000 fans on 5 July in the band’s “Back to the Beginning” concert to help raise funds for several charities, including Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Black Sabbath were formed in Aston back in 1968 and Osbourne was a huge supporter of Aston Villa’s throughout his life, taking to social media in March to celebrate Marcus Rashford’s goals in the FA Cup.
Grealish pays respects to ‘legend’ Ozzy Osbourne
Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s influence on rock music has been widespread since their foundation and the band are credited for the growth of heavy metal, but they also left a lasting impression at Aston Villa.
Grealish also grew up in the Birmingham area and was a member of Villa’s academy from the age of six onwards, going on to make 213 appearances for the Villans before his 2021 transfer to Manchester City.
The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Villa Park this summer and remains fond of all things claret and blue, including the music and influence of the “Prince of Darkness” Osbourne.
Aston Villa posted an emotional tribute to Osbourne on Instagram (22 July) after the news of his passing, and Grealish shared this on his own Instagram story with the message of: “RIP Legend!!!”
Aston Villa return still on the cards for Grealish
Osbourne openly expressed his delight at Aston Villa signing Rashford on loan in January, but the England forward is now on his way to Barcelona after Villa failed to trigger their £40million option to buy.
A return for Grealish could be more likely this summer as he looks to re-discover his best football after falling out of favour at Man City, and there’s little doubt that the winger’s best football came at Villa Park.
Like Osbourne, Grealish remains an adored figure by Villa supporters even after his departure in 2021, and few fans would complain if the Man City and England star ends up in claret and blue next season.