Jack Grealish vindicated by Lionel Messi over Man City transfer and Villa exit

Jack Grealish's £100million move to Manchester City this summer frankly was a no-brainer to most people.

The star was moving to the champions to win trophies, enhance his England prospects after Gareth Southgate used him mainly as a sub at the Euros and also fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League.

On Tuesday night Grealish steps out in Paris to take on PSG and Lionel Messi, comforted by the knowledge that matches like these are precisely why he quit Villa Park.

His move from boyhood club Aston Villa nine days before the start of the season on a release clause for the Champions League runners-up, still really infuriated some Villans who felt betrayed.

Betrayed at Grealish walking out less than a year after penning a new five-year £130,000-a-week deal in September 2020.

At the time the Brummie Tweeted: "My city. My club. My home."

Jack Grealish pens a new bumper five-year contract at Aston Villa in September 2020 before invoking a release clause to leave this August ( Image:

Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

The controversy rumbled on earlier this month on international duty when Grealish candidly admitted he wanted the option to go if a really top club like City came calling.

The backlash among unhappy Villains was so strong Grealish even took to social media to defend himself.

Villa fans are entitled to their opinion but surely they all would have done the same if they were in Grealish's position, however much they love the club, which their academy grduate clearly does.

Villa can continue to thrive without Grealish as they showed in their memorable win at Manchester United on Saturday.

They have some new brilliant homegrown talent coming through spearheaded by Jacob Ramsey, aged 20, while Grealish has established himself as a key starter for both City and England since his big-money move.

He already has two goals and two assists after handling the step up to Champions League football with ease. Good friendships with fellow England stars Phil Foden and Kyle Walker have helped him settle in.

Grealish is also tight with Kevin De Bruyne, who the star has long admitted is his role model and hero. Crucially, Grealish also believes he is getting kicked less now as a City player and the stats back this up.

Last season, he was the most fouled player in the Premier League (110 fouls won), while he ranks third this season (16). And according to Opta, Grealish received 4.5 fouls per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season, compared to just 2.8 this season.

Getting kicked and fouled less can only help Grealish and England.

Last season you will recall Grealish missed three months from February 13 with a shin injury. Now he is fit and firing and ready to take his game to new heights.

Grealish is already making his mark for City ( Image:

CameraSport via Getty Images)

The irony will not be lost on PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino who is a huge fan of the player. He tried to sign him for Spurs in 2018 as Pochettino saw Grealish as Christian Eriksen's long-term successor.

That was in the days when some people were still unsure if the talented young ace would make it into a superstar. There can't be (m)any doubts left now.

Pochettino was a visionary in that respect but his dream of coaching Grealish could turn into a nightmare instead if City beat PSG.