Jack Grealish and the minute that summed up Man City crisis against Aston Villa ...Middle East

Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City (Duran 16′, Rogers 65′ | Foden 90+3′)

VILLA PARK — It was the most frequent sight here in the first half: Jack Grealish plucking the ball out of the air down the left wing for Manchester City, who suffered their ninth defeat in 12.

The results were varied, like watching a live experiment from a scientist desperately short of ideas – Pep Guardiola making Grealish one of six City changes from the defeat to Manchester United.

Guardiola was perhaps hoping emotion could play a part, with Grealish making his first start at Aston Villa since leaving his boyhood club in 2021.

'I was a Man Utd steward for 24 years but Ratcliffe's treatment made me quit'

It didn’t pay off. More often than not the first touch was perfect, but thereafter Grealish was proving a microcosm of City’s run overall. Plenty of the ball, and no idea what to do with it.

The good was a cross that Josko Gvardiol arguably could have done better with, the bad was the backward passes, and the downright ugly was a shot so bad it went out for a throw-in.

“You’re not super anymore,” the home crowd sang, jeering Grealish with his every touch, and while the winger admirably wore a wry smile for much of the opening half, there were signs of his frustration after the half-time whistle sounded, when he protested with referee Peter Bankes and Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saw a chance to ruffle his former teammate’s feathers.

It was a minor scuffle that only earned Martinez a booking – no surprise given the Argentine rushed over to cause nothing but bother – but a chance to get in Grealish’s head.

Matty Cash had been getting into Grealish all half, too, eventually earning a booking after a third heavy tackle, and with City ending the half without a goal despite having the majority of the ball, it was job half-done for Villa.

Then along came Kyle Walker. Arguably made the scapegoat these past few weeks, suddenly deemed too old and too slow, City’s club captain had appeared nonplussed by the fact he was dropped, dressed more like a spectator than a player eager to come on when warming up with his fellow substitutes before the match.

Nevertheless, he was the first port of call for Guardiola from the bench, replacing the returning John Stones for the second half.

City had operated with a new-look back four, Stones starting alongside Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis and Gvardiol in defence for the first time this season, mainly down to the injury absence of Ruben Dias.

The second-half quartet were not well acquainted either, but really, this wasn’t the main issue, and in truth, nor was Grealish’s lack of output.

Around Grealish, City offered little to nothing. Bernardo Silva was a passenger, while Phil Foden was everywhere and nowhere at the same time, going closest for City in the first half and scoring a late consolation – only due to a slip.

And then there’s Erling Haaland. One goal in his previous five games is paltry by his standards, and on Saturday it became one in six. He didn’t have a single touch in Villa’s box in the first half, one of just three City outfield players in that regard, and the second half wasn’t proving promising either.

The game that proved Ipswich's Kieran McKenna is a class above Russell Martin

It was the 64th minute that perhaps summed up Grealish’s afternoon. He had seen less of the ball after the break, but when he did on this occasion, his cross went straight into the side netting – not even a minute later, Villa scored their second.

Not that it was Grealish’s fault. Once again City’s defence had more pockets than a pair of cargos, with John McGinn finding Morgan Rogers, who punished the visitors with a ruthless finish as Walker barely attempted to close him down or block the shot.

This was the lack of desire that City had showed all match, so too the gaps Villa were not offering up themselves, and as chants of “you’re just a s— Morgan Rogers” were directed at their former captain, Grealish’s display ultimately typified his whole time at City.

In Rogers, Villa have now moved on, meaning a move back – deemed one option should City look to cut their losses, or if Grealish wants to leave himself – is more off the cards than it has been for the past 12 months.

Rogers, by the way, cost Villa an initial £8m – and only as much as £16m if all add-ons are met.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Jack Grealish and the minute that summed up Man City crisis against Aston Villa )

Also on site :

• Teenage Boy Dies After Falling Off Memorial Day Parade Float
• Social Media Sensation, 24, Stuns in Simple 2025 AMAs Look That Left Fans Speechless
• Asian shares mostly lower, trading in a narrow range with US markets closed for Memorial Day