Grealish tipped to leave Aston Villa after getting 'taste' of big stage
Martin Macdonald
- 30 Jun 2021 17:52 BST
Jack Grealish may pursue a move away from Aston Villa things some as he now has a "taste" for the big stage after performing for England at the Euros, according to club icon Gabby Agbonlahor.
Grealish has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons and in 2020/21 recorded the third-highest tally of assists in the top-flight despite missing three months of action.
Even before the European Championship started he was the subject of interest from both Manchester City and Manchester United, who were looking into the possibility of a £100 million transfer.
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His stock has risen during the Euros, too, as he came off the bench to play a role in both goals as England defeated Germany in the first knockout stage.
Should Grealish actually leave this summer, Agbonlahor admits it would be "devastating" for Villa fans, but they he would ultimately leave with best wishes.
“Knowing Jack, knowing him as a person, he wants to win league titles, he wants to win Champions League trophies,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider
“He’s got a taste with England now playing on the big stage, he’ll want to have more.
“If he wanted to go to Manchester City, me and every Villa fan would understand. We don’t want him to leave, we’d be devastated if he left but you understand."
Aston Villa's selling policy
Agbonlahor also laments the fact that Villa don't seem to be able to keep hold of their star players.
“Big players have left Villa in the past," the former Villa striker continued.
"Gareth Barry was here for 10 years and he left for Manchester City, Ashley Young left, Christian Benteke, James Milner, there’s been so many that have left and you understand.
Big players have left Villa in the past
- “It’s just a shame because Aston Villa have a history of selling their best players. You look at Leicester with the likes of Maddison and they try to keep hold of their best players and rebuild to get into the top six and top four.
"That’s what I would love for Aston Villa but we’ll have to wait and see if that happens.”
Aston Villa have already confirmed the £32m signing of Emiliano Buendia from Norwich this summer, and have had two big-money bids rejected for Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.
