‘Jack Grealish to start vs Aston Villa after baffling Pep Guardiola decision’
Jack Grealish has only started one of the last four Man City games, but has been tipped to feature in the lineup to face Aston Villa.
Grealish’s only start in that time came against Leicester City, a game in which he scored the opener after just two minutes, with Omar Marmoush netting a second to sink the Foxes at the Etihad Stadium.
While injuries have plagued his season, supporters are often baffled at the decision to leave him on the bench continuously, prompting the idea that Pep Guardiola and Grealish could have fallen out.
The snubs continued against Everton on Saturday, 19 April, with Savinho and Bernardo Silva starting on the wings, and he was even ignored despite the Citizens drawing 0-0 until the 84th minute.
Despite this, Tim Sherwood is still confident that Grealish will be given the chance to impress when Villa travel to Manchester on Tuesday, 22 April, with Champions League qualification on the line for both, despite confusion as to why the England international has struggled for time compared to teammates.
Jack Grealish set for rare Man City start v Aston Villa
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (19 April, 5:15pm), Sherwood said: “It’s a busy fixture list, with games coming thick and fast, and next is Aston Villa. Jack Grealish will start that game.
“I think the manager knows what he’s doing, and I think he’s preserving him, ready for that game. He’s had a lot of injuries this season, which is why he hasn’t started [much], but just recently, I cannot understand why he hasn’t played him when people like Savinho are ahead of him.
“Doku came on and did brilliantly. Jack’s come on in the past and done fantastic as well. I wouldn’t be surprised, and nor would the Man City fans. Against his old club, his boyhood club, I think he’ll start.”
| Player | Appearances (Starts) | Goals | Assists |
| Jack Grealish | 30 (15) | 3 | 5 |
Jack Grealish could be auditioning ahead of Villa Park return
Football Insider verdict
With the winger one of the many names expected to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer, Aston Villa have been tipped as a potential destination for Grealish once the current season ends.
He has been a controversial player during his time with the Citizens, mainly due to his lack of goal contributions after being one of the most recognisable stars at Villa Park.
The player’s wage and transfer fee, of course, offer a bit of a hurdle for City to overcome if they are to offload his services this summer, but he could be joining the likes of John Stones, Ederson and Mateo Kovacic.
With no signs that Guardiola will be stepping down, the Catalan is left with quite the task of rebuilding the squad, especially with Kevin De Bruyne set to end his decade-long stay with Man City.
There is a general feeling of a passing of the torch at the Etihad Stadium, and as his lack of action continues to make headlines, Grealish could very much be involved in that change.