Aston Villa picked up four vital wins on the bounce before last weekend’s international break, with Dean Smith’s side giving themselves a great chance of finishing in the play-offs and challenging for a promotion that just didn’t seem likely a month ago.
That improved form has coincided with Jack Grealish’s return to full fitness and the starting XI, with the talented playmaker the driving force in all four of those wins.
He scored a world class volley in the win over Derby, whilst his match-winning goal in the Second City derby was a sweet moment for the 23-year-old.
And, Grealish’s form is bringing admirers back to the surface, with the Mirror noting that Tottenham are expected to try and sign Grealish in the summer after their failed pursuit two windows ago. In addition to that, West Ham are interested in offering Grealish a move.
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Whilst that kind of talk is nice for the player, it is impossible to see how his focus is going to shift away from his boyhood club, particularly given their position in the Championship promotion race.
In an interview with the Telegraph back in September, Grealish admitted that his head was turned by Spurs’ original interest, but that was at the start of the season and there is far more at stake for Villa now.
Grealish’s performances since returning to the starting line-up have been superb, with the playmaker looking like he’s on a one-man mission to get Villa in promotion contention.
He’s running things like we know he can with his passing game, he’s scoring goals and proving why he’s considered the best player outside the Premier League.
That sheer determination is a credit to his character and there won’t be a soul at Villa Park that believes his head could be turned this late in the season.
Aston Villa runs through Grealish’s blood and there’s nothing he’d love to do more than guide his boyhood club back to the Premier League.
Even then, it might be a parting gift for the club, with Tottenham in particular an attractive option right now, but there will be no fears that Grealish’s focus will be moving away from the promotion race right now.
He’s showing just how committed he is to Aston Villa by dragging them up the Championship table.