Despite scoring the equaliser that rescued a point for Aston Villa this afternoon, plenty of the club’s fans have voiced their opposition to Jack Grealish being played in a wide role, believing that he should instead be deployed centrally.
The 24-year-old netted his seventh Premier League goal of the season with a powerful half-volley in the 75th minute of his team’s 1-1 draw away to Brighton today and, interestingly, all seven have come in matches where he has lined up on the left flank for Dean Smith’s side.
Although his goal proved decisive in earning Aston Villa a draw today, Grealish’s afternoon did not pass without some blemishes to his performance. His passing success rate of 72.7% is the lowest that he has recorded this season, with nine of his 33 passes failing to find a team-mate. He was also guilty of poor ball control on three occasions at the Amex Stadium, the joint-most of anyone in Smith’s line-up (as per WhoScored).
Despite once again scoring when playing on the left, these Aston Villa fans on Twitter were unhappy with Grealish being selected out wide instead of through the middle:
https://twitter.com/GeorgeAdey2/status/1218567221691211778
Just go Trez and Ghaz through the middle and Grealish 10… please dean… please 😭 change something let Grealish effect the game
— Jimmy Wilkins (@JW1992_) January 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/Shead___/status/1218563003483926528
Grealish clearly needs to be operating in the middle. Doing what he can but limited from his position. #avfc
— Andy Soden (@ajsoden) January 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/TaskForceAEGIS/status/1218556422729936901
Grealish on the left just does not work. Yeah, some games he does well. Hes often good enough to get himself in the game. But games when we have little of the ball, he needs to play centrally, so when we do get it, he's where he can hurt teams. This is stupid
— Rich T. (@RichieTeaa) January 18, 2020
Do you think Smith is right to play Grealish in a wide role given his scoring record from the left or should the 24-year-old be deployed centrally? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
