Back-to-back wins for a Jack Grealish-inspired Aston Villa has brought a wave of positivity back to B6. Can they extend recent results into a long winning run? That surely is the goal now for Dean Smith’s men, as they look to resurrect the season from the death.
On the Pitch Justice
As soon as the Blues scumbag struck Jack Grealish, there was only one narrative Villans wanted to see – Captain Jack scoring the winner. Villa needed the three points to keep their season alive, but the extra impetus added to the nerves of the occasion.
The moral subplot became as important as the football significance of victory, so when it came, the celebration was two-fold.
It’ll be a memorable derby for the drama and on-field justice and furthermore, it could be a huge moment in the Jack Grealish story, if he remains at Villa for seasons to come.
Captain Grealish
Grealish’s reaction immediately after the assault and then knuckling down to his game and bagging the winner, was first rate. At 23-years-old his compose was class.
It maybe a sweeping generalisation, but I think most players his age would have retaliated and there’s not many wouldn’t blame them. Some of the Villa players were certainly in the motion of delivering some payback for their teammate, but were stopped by other members of the team, notably Tyrone Mings.
Dean Smith gave Grealish the armband because he reacts well to increased exception and responsibility, and he hasn’t left his gaffer or club down yet.
Mighty Mings
As well as tempering an ugly situation, which really could have kicked off after what the Blues ‘supporter’ did, Mings was immense at the back and made sure the team held onto their narrow lead to win 1-0.
We may only see Mings play until the end of the season in a Villa shirt, but if Dean Smith and his men can perform a miracle, the club will know the first thing they have to do in the summer.
Can We Mention the ‘P’ term?
Play-offs? It’s one game at a time territory, but if Villa can beat play-off contender Nottingham Forest to move above them, then suddenly the season is unexpectedly alive again.
It certainly looks like this season you want need as much as the 75 points Derby got last season to finish sixth.
Solid
Two clean sheets on the trot. Worth a mention, as the defense has been the Achilles heel for Dean Smith. It seems that Mings alongside an improving Kortney Hause, protected by a newly inspired Glenn Whelan, has made Villa harder to break down.
With Axel Tuanzebe back in training, Villa could also have an important defensive reinforcement back and ready to go after the international break.
If Villa can just get a couple more decent results before the break, then the run-in could be an exciting one.
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Well At Xmas I thought the play offs were gone let alone before the Derby game. The reason was that I could not see us stringing 4 wins together. Suddenly we are able to defend! That’s the difference. Jacks return has meant we have someone to pass to and does not lose possession so easily. Ming the merciless looks best player in the division. Well 3 wins on trot after brilliant Forest win means yes we can dream. On thier seasons form so far Bristol City will get another 15 points 70 in total. 6 wins from our 9 fixtures could therefore be enough. After Saturday that could be 5 from 8. Not so impossible now is it?
We can mention play offs, we do have as I see it one last chance however this is reliant on us putting a run together starting with Forrest, if we can come away with 3 points I believe we can get a result at home against Boro at the week end, and that will push us very close to the play off places.
So come on Villa keep it going and after the break we will be back to full strength. Finally I want to say well done to Jack Grealish who conducted himself on behalf of our club in a perfect manner last Sunday.