“We’re looking to returning to the Premier League. I want to be a big part of that process and will be doing everything possible to make that a reality.”
Jack Grealish was talking the talk after signing a new four-year deal with Aston Villa back in September. His boyhood club showed great faith in him after the young England Under-21 international endured a bad case of second season syndrome as the club dropped like a rock out of the Premier League.
Injury and a lack of form limited Grealish’s appearances for Tim Sherwood and then Remi Garde as Villa managed just three wins in a disastrous season for the Birmingham club.
Grealish’s fitness issues came despite a wholehearted pre-season regime.
… Avoiding all off-field distractions in the early season period.
The reaction to Jack Grealish's international decision was completely & predictably reasonable http://t.co/FxMEMQekEj pic.twitter.com/ju1mModrKM
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 28, 2015
… And adhering to a monk-like existence after games.
Jack Grealish needs some new friends, or a very strict "no phone" policy https://t.co/NpT509f2st pic.twitter.com/8cubU3KzTD
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 24, 2015
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a decent start to life under Roberto di Matteo, scoring twice in seven league games, so after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Ipswich he decided to let his hair down (up?) and cut loose for a change.
The Daily Mail are reporting that Grealish and some of his buddies infuriated guests at a Birmingham hotel with a raucous, late night, h**** c**** fuelled party.
(We refuse to refer to nitrous oxide by its more dramatic tabloid handle h**** c**** – it is laughing gas after all, it gives you the giggles, the spins and a mild headache. It is hardly Class A narcotics.)
One hotel source told the paper: “The noise was incredible. There were huge numbers of people inside the room and it was lawless. The other guests had no chance of getting any sleep.”
The room was reportedly littered with balloons, presumably used for inhaling nitrous oxide. Grealish previously had to apologise to Sherwood when pictures emerged of him inhaling nitrous oxide.
Sources close to the player deny he was inhaling the gas on Saturday night.
A club spokesperson said: “The club are aware of allegations regarding an incident at the weekend which we are investigating internally.”
At least none of his buddies have posted pictures from the party on social media, yet. They do appear to be learning.
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