While Aston Villa's return to the Premier League has not been as as successful as they would have hoped, it is hard not to be impressed with the campaign Jack Grealish has put together.
He has been the only bright spot in the team for large portions of the campaign, putting in some stellar performances. As a result, it is looking increasingly likely that he will not be at Villa Park next season.
Grealish has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, while Spurs and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the player. Even his teammates appear to accept that he will move on at some stage.
Appearing on the Southern Star podcast, Ireland international Conor Hourihane said that Grealish has proven himself too good for the current Aston Villa team.
He's top, top class. In terms of pure ability and sheer skill and technique level he's easily the best player I've played with to date.
He's just got that gift. He runs quicker with the ball, when he faces someone up you're in real trouble. He's skipping by the best players in this league so easily.
He's developed over the three years I've been here - he's taken his game to a new level - especially this year in the Premier League.
He's taken it by storm really. You know, England team and getting that big move is only a matter of time because, if I'm being brutally honest, he's too good for our team at Aston Villa.
Nothing wrong with that opinion surely?
Well, it seems supporters of the club are not too happy about the Corkman's remarks. He has been panned by some sections of the Villa support on social media.
If Hourihane has been talking up a move away for Jack, he can expect our fan base to be pretty pissed off with him. I certainly am. #AVFC
— Frankie Marbella Villan (@FKVTID) April 30, 2020
Odd one this...shows a lack of ambition really from Hourihane, can't imagine Wes Edens is a fan of this kind of comment. #avfc https://t.co/ZPdyvnBYm9
— The Villa Wiki (@AVFCWiki) April 30, 2020
If these quotes are true, says more about Conor Hourihane’s small time mentally and lack of vision/ambition for the club he plays for than anything else. #avfc https://t.co/ZmqN3RJnYq
— Richie B AVFC (@Beno1917) April 30, 2020
Always been a fan of Hourihane but can’t see him staying at the club after saying that.
People do really forget, this is Aston Villa football club. If we don’t want to sell Jack we won’t, end of.
Grealish isn’t too good for us, maybe too good for the players around him... #avfc https://t.co/fNAQPpLeK3— Nadia Katie-Marshall (@CamillaPayne7) April 30, 2020
The thing is, Hourihane was completely correct in what he said. While Aston Villa fans may still rank the club as one of the biggest in England, the fact of the matter is that they have not been competing near the top of the league for some time now.
Grealish has proven that he is talented enough to be playing in a much better team. Were it not for him, Villa would likely already be relegated.
A number of the club's supporters have rightly stuck up for Hourihane in the face of the abuse, saying he was spot on in his remarks.
Hourihane saying it how it is #AVFC https://t.co/igqPw9zEM5
— Ashley Preece (@PreeceObserver) April 30, 2020
Hourihane speaks the truth and suddenly he's "dross" and a "donkey".
Who equalised in the play-off semi? Who basically won us the game against Newcastle and definitely against Norwich?
Piss off with your insults.— Ben (@ThatMetalNessie) April 30, 2020
Conor Hourihane getting stick for saying Jack Grealish is too good for the current Villa team pic.twitter.com/8LMNIVjM7T
— Carl (@CSUN9956) April 30, 2020
Realistically hourihane isn’t wrong however that seems like a lack of belief in the squad at the same time which seems concerning #AVFC https://t.co/KoYlCnWHhl
— ... (@tomlxnee) April 30, 2020
