Popular Post Villa_Vids Posted August 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 6, 2021 (edited) These are my final thoughts on Jack Grealish. I woke up still feeling bitter about the transfer and towards Jack. The emotions are still raw. It would be dishonest to deny that there are no negative feelings attached to him. I know people will not have the appetite to read all this, but I need to get it off MY mind. I will start on a positive note. Jack has delivered in each season from 2018 onwards and has played a huge part in our revival. He was the face of it all. He received most of the glory for our successes since then. We all accept that without doubt. I will thank him for the memories, in particular the part he played in the 10 game winning run. That run will forever be etched into the history books. Nobody can take that away from him or us. Putting my objective hat on. Villa have developed & sold an (international) academy product for 100 Million. A British transfer record. It is a proud moment for our academy, coaches and the club overall. Whatever my personal feelings on Manchester City, he is going to the champions and a highly competitive group. A ruthless machine that demands perfection at every turn. But my own personal view is JG has spat in the fans' faces. Spat on Dean and his coaching staff. Spat on his team-mates. Spat on the guys who truly made his development possible, NSWE. Also spat on his own legacy and connection to the club. Spat on the badge. I can understand the reasoning behind Jack's decision, but I cannot shake the feeling that he has jumped at the first sign of a serious bidder. Jack would have been an absolute “legend” by taking the longer route with Villa. The worthy route. Being a genuine role model to future generations. It would have been so epic. A boyhood fan-turned-player rejecting a record transfer move, because he wanted to lead HIS club back to glory from the very bottom. That is a true hero's storyline. That transcends Aston Villa Football Club. That makes a person a true “Legend”. Jack did not see the club as being able to get into the top four or challenge for major honours within his career. Which is disappointing and unimaginative. He saw bright lights. He saw the headlines and the quick way to fame. He saw Manchester City, aka the easy way to personal glory for himself. He pulled the rug away from our club. He was not willing to sacrifice for Villa's progression and play the long game. He was preparing his exit strategy months ago. As a fan I emotionally put everything into him; begging Southgate to start him for England during the Euros, which soured the tournament for me. Standing up for him when he was compared to other players, such as Bradley Dack & Pablo Hernandez. More fool me. I found it uncomfortable when he associates with the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor & Ross McCormack. Two of the most unprofessional players I have ever seen. This made me privately question Jack's character, but I stayed silent about that because he was one of our own and he delivered on the pitch. Gave him the benefit of doubt. It was a warning sign though. Furthermore, I turned a blind eye to JG's off the field behaviour. I stood by him when he was drunk and crashed his car during lockdown, after he lectured to others to stay-in hours earlier. On reflection, his behaviour was reckless, embarrassing and unforgivable. And then the constant flirting with the idea of leaving the club on social media or in an interview, showing Villa no respect. All the Jack Grealish show. He is not a captain or a leader. He is not Totti. He is Jack Grealish. He is a 100 million pound player. He is ego. He loves the limelight. He is a celebrity. He was not worthy of the unabashed support I & other Villans gave him. He has no ethics or values that extend further than himself. Never willing to sacrifice himself for the club. He is not a Villan. I cannot wish him well, nor do I want to see him return here. It is over. This episode has changed me, I regret turning a blind eye to JG's behaviour. I regret emotionally investing way too much into him. I shat on my own club's worth for a celebrity. He was mocking Villa all along. It was never mutual between us. Jack was one of many talented players who wore our shirt. Never forget this. He leaves trophy-less. The Grealish legacy will fade and be surpassed at Villa. Never a legend, only a talented player who did not win anything at “his” club. New heroes will be born and greater moments will emerge in the coming months & years. Jack has made a mistake. I truly believe that. However, our club will continue to prosper and grow. Our support will be put towards the current Villa team, who deserve and need it. We will pass Jack on our way up. Then his mistake will hit him hard. Bye Jack. Enjoy your appearance on Corrie. Thanks for the memories. UTV! Edited August 6, 2021 by Villa_Vids 14 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugeley Villa Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Shall we all contribute to a VT farewell letter to Jack ? It may clear the air for some of us. Let’s get it all down in black and white, eh. I’ll start ..... Dear Jack ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam2003 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Guardiola publicly saying he wished they had known Messi was leaving Barcelona and would have signed him instead of Grealish is delicious for several reasons. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post villalad21 Posted August 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 6, 2021 Zero touches of the ball. This will be his reality at City. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denaldinho Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Damn, Jack looks nervous as hell during this training session. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Looks like he is in the squad for the Community Shield game. Thought it might have been a bit early for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recircle Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 (edited) 47 minutes ago, Villa_Vids said: He leaves trophy-less. He's left because he's trophy-less. Edited August 6, 2021 by deck clarification 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GENTLEMAN Posted August 6, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 minute ago, deck said: He's leaving because he's trophy-less. Way to miss the context. It was surrounding the tag 'Villa-legend'. The narrative seems to be he was so good he carried the team. Strangely, this carrying coincided with NSWE. Let us be balanced here. He was part of the record low PL relegation and the two failed attempts at promotion. NSWE, Smith & the coaching team provided the stage for his individual development. His doesn't even seem to acknowledge this. I have 100 million reasons to be grateful. But that our reward for the development we have provided. Let me expand on my thinking. Nothing exists in a vacuum. Everything has context. How can he be a our legend leaving now during our project. He was begged to stay. I don't mind him leaving to win 'trophies, CL, personal glory', but (for me) he is not a Villa legend, that is lost. He can be a legend for Jack Grealish, a legend for football. But not 'my' club. He was one of many talented players to pass through VP. Period. I think the narrative of the hero involves sacrifice. I do not witness that here. Fine if you want to call him a legend. But you do not speak for me, as I do not speak for you. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnbull Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 For every Steve Bull there's a hundred Fabian Delphs. Such is the modern game Draw a line and move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Steve Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Watch him kiss the badge the first goal he scores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano'sLob Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I honestly understand the reaction to Jack leaving the Villa, but I think some perspective is needed. Football is a fickle beast and players come and go, we as fans and the true lifeblood of the club have a huge part to play in turning all this negativity in to a whole load of positivity and supporting the team as only we can. Jack chose to leave, we have not, will not, never will and nothing makes me prouder to be a Villa fan. UTV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djemba_Villan Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 2 hours ago, Keyblade said: Yeah he made it clear he was off the minute any CL team trigger the clause. The thing about the 100m clause is that City were always really the only club who would trigger it. Signing Messi probably would have cooled them on that front for a couple of years. Saying that though, Chelsea look set to smash the Grealish record already so maybe they could have too, who knows. United also spend best part of £80m on Sancho too. I imagine Jack would have pushed for that move too if there were no other options. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recircle Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 56 minutes ago, GENTLEMAN said: Way to miss the context. It was surrounding the tag 'Villa-legend'. Fair enough (it was a big old reply, and I scanned through a fair bit of it). I'm not too keen on this 'legends' stuff full stop, I've got to say. Pantheons, hall-of-famers, golden greats...a media-feeding/media-driven hagiography that doesn't seem to have much to do with what actually happens on a football pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Just imagine if Messi had left Barca only a week sooner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Follyfoot Posted August 6, 2021 VT Supporter Share Posted August 6, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Rugeley Villa said: Shall we all contribute to a VT farewell letter to Jack ? It may clear the air for some of us. Let’s get it all down in black and white, eh. I’ll start ..... Dear Jack ..... ….. Edited August 6, 2021 by Follyfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Follyfoot Posted August 6, 2021 VT Supporter Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 hour ago, The_Steve said: Watch him kiss the badge the first goal he scores 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teale's 'tache Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 2 hours ago, villalad21 said: Zero touches of the ball. This will be his reality at City. Man, even the training ground is soulless, looks like they are training on the Death Star... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strog Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 9 minutes ago, Follyfoot said: Wouldn’t you for one zillion, gazillion a week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairy In Boots Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Don’t click on City content of him, that’s what they want is the attention just forget him now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Mallory Edens commented on Jack's City post with a heart and a lion emoji Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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