A message, thoughts on Grealish

[westcountryvillain]

Evening fellas, been away on me hols in sunny Madeira but closely followed developments through Twitter which has been in something of a meltdown this last few days. So to thoughts on Super Jack:

We all knew this day would come sooner or later, some comparing the situation to Delph who jumped from a sinking ship. Jack has been unbelievable for us many many times, could have left much sooner but stuck with us and we have £100M + a considerable wage saving I would guess to take us forward. It is nothing like Delph who saw the writing on the wall when we sold Benteke and left at the first sign of trouble. This timing isn't great so close to the start of the season however the euros delayed things and the bid came in just a few days ago, it is what it is.

I am as a Villa fan left sad by thinking what might have been if he'd stayed and we continued with the project, his appeal is/was huge in making AVFC a bigger attraction. Equally though - he's left at a time when the club is on a much sounder footing, we are building a talented squad with a blend of experience & some excellent academy players coming through.

£100M is a colossal sum for any footballer, the world is mental - he is a special talent in my view so I do hope that he reaches his full potential, except when he's playing against us! He's also injury prone so as the years go on he may not play as many games as he has done - think we have maximised the value here with this fee, a lot of responsibility fell on his shoulders to drive the team forward in games - now that can be spread across the 11 in more balanced way?

I hope he doesn't get booed - we wouldn't be where we are now without him.

[MissWinnie]

Evening fellas, been away on me hols in sunny Madeira but closely followed developments through Twitter which has been in something of a meltdown this last few days. So to thoughts on Super Jack:

We all knew this day would come sooner or later, some comparing the situation to Delph who jumped from a sinking ship. Jack has been unbelievable for us many many times, could have left much sooner but stuck with us and we have £100M + a considerable wage saving I would guess to take us forward. It is nothing like Delph who saw the writing on the wall when we sold Benteke and left at the first sign of trouble. This timing isn't great so close to the start of the season however the euros delayed things and the bid came in just a few days ago, it is what it is.

I am as a Villa fan left sad by thinking what might have been if he'd stayed and we continued with the project, his appeal is/was huge in making AVFC a bigger attraction. Equally though - he's left at a time when the club is on a much sounder footing, we are building a talented squad with a blend of experience & some excellent academy players coming through.

£100M is a colossal sum for any footballer, the world is mental - he is a special talent in my view so I do hope that he reaches his full potential, except when he's playing against us! He's also injury prone so as the years go on he may not play as many games as he has done - think we have maximised the value here with this fee, a lot of responsibility fell on his shoulders to drive the team forward in games - now that can be spread across the 11 in more balanced way?

I hope he doesn't get booed - we wouldn't be where we are now without him.

Really good post Westy Pretty much sums up how I feel ... Sad, but pragmatic. Totally agree it's not like Delph. I'm sure Jack genuinely feels as sad as we do, but I understand he wants to fulfil his ambitions, and doesn't feel he can do it with us at the moment.

I'm really gutted to see him go. I was so proud to see the reception he got from the crowds at the Euros - it proved it wasn't just us being biased . However, I wish him all the luck in the world for his career (except when he's playing us, of course ).

Thank you and good luck Jack!

[MissWinnie]

He's officially gone now.

https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/ma...alish-63763786

Hated seeing him in Man City colours - it's really real now - and couldn't bring myself to read the article, but my sentiments stand and I wish Jack the best of luck.

[VillaRosie]

Christian Purslow has just spoken on AVTV



https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial

[TrianonDave]

Well its good that he has come out to explain, kinda sad really, that, with Jack parting memo, which states he will be back one day and the fact he will always be a villa fan is a good way to move on.
I just hope we make him think a little when we get a CL spot (hopefully one day) so not quite a snake, could have gone to Utd but true to his word, they at the time were not in the CL.
Its now up to the new guys to gel and fight for this club. We also need to be thankful to our owners for splashing all the cash from the deal plus more on getting the project back on track.
Jacks gone, he will get his wish, we just have to get behind the lads and support like mad to get us to the next level, for our wish....

[westcountryvillain]

Purslow's clip on AVTV is class - we are in very good hands.

[bongosdad]

I get his decision just about. However i dont get the timing considering how much potential we have for the next few years. I remember sitting in the stands and watched Gabby score a hatrick in under 10 minute against city. That was the start of the city cash flow era. A few years later they were winning titles. I feel were in a similar boat now so no need to leave. I understand if it was a few years ago he left but hes just traided in his legendary status for a few extra titles.

[mondaze]

My city my club my home? My ar*e, jack who? You are dead to me mr.grealish.

[TrianonDave]

I suppose at the end of the day its like the so called amicable Divorce that will and always does, turn sour.
Once the season starts and eventually when he returns to Villa Park, the hatred, jelousy and anger will come out. We need to make sure That plastic club gets well and truly beaten, yes they will walk away with the title but I want to see their feathers fuffled and Jack walking off head down having lost at what he used to call 'Home'

[picasso]

Without Jack we would not have been promoted when we did and we almost certainly been relegated the following season. He has given us some amazing moments and been an absolute joy to watch. In my opinion he has earned the right to choose his own destiny and to play alongside some of the best footballers in the world. I for one look forward to seeing just what he might achieve.

As for the Villa, I am trying to look at it with optimism. It is certainly a massive blow and may set us back in the short term but it does give us the chance to play in a different system that doesn’t over rely on one player which is never a good basis on which to build a team. It was evident that when he was injured last season we really struggled as all our play went through him. If we can adjust, and given the players we have just signed things are looking good, it could all be a blessing in disguise.

Look forward and not back. Villa has always been bigger than anyone player. UTV.