Jack Grealish Pens a New Four-year Deal with Villa. His and Lambert’s Views

Jack Grealish New Contract

As expected and hoped Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish has signed a new four-year deal with Aston Villa during the international break.

Already this season, Villa boss Paul Lambert has been drip-feeding the 19-year-old midfielder from the bench into first team action and the life-long Villa fan looks to be increasingly involved as the season progresses, potentially giving the Villa first eleven an extra dimension.

While big team vultures like Chelsea were reported to be circling the Irish Under-21 player, the Bodymoor Heath Academy graduate has now firmly pinned his colours to the Villa mast, which as well as pleasing the Villa faithful will no doubt buoy his manager, as he continues to try to revive Villa’s fortunes.

Paul Lambert on Grealish’s new deal

Potential

“There’s always an excitement around a young player who comes through the Academy, but the thing is the potential we have signed in Jack Grealish is great for everyone connected with Villa.”

“He has a long way to go in the game but the potential that’s in him, we believe, means we could have a really good player in the years to come.

“It’s great for everybody here that he’s committed to the Club. I’m appreciative of the efforts of Tom Fox, who worked hard on this with the Chairman, and we’re all delighted.

Grealish on his new deal

Roots

“I’m delighted and it’s a dream come true to commit my future to my boyhood club. I’ve grown up supporting the Club – in fact, I’ve had a season ticket at Villa since I was four years old and came to every game – so this is a big thing for me and my family.”

Family Affair

“All of my family are Villa fans and my dad [Kevin] has been there from the start, all through my career he’s followed me and he hasn’t missed a Villa game this season.

“This has always been a club that plays a big role in the community, it has a family feel to it and I’m proud to be part of that now. This feels like home to me.

“For the manager and the Club to show this faith and trust in me, I’m really appreciative and I’m determined to repay that trust.

Progress

“I know I have to continue to kick on and push on now, I have to keep developing and progressing and I have to strive to be as good a player as I can possibly be.

“Mentally and physically, I came on a lot last season on loan at Notts County and that experience helped me loads.

“They were bottom of the table when I went there, so every game mattered and they were a great group of people to work with and learn from. I matured a lot last season.

Learning Curve

“That experience will help me now and every day I’m learning from the players here and the manager and it’s been a steep learning curve that can only benefit me in the long run.

“We’ve made a really solid start to the season and there’s a strong belief that we can continue to progress as a team. It’s great to feel a part of that.

“Growing up in the Academy with the likes of Gordon Cowans, Tony McAndrew, Ben Petty, Kevin MacDonald and Bryan Jones looking after us and making us better, that’s been a big part of my development as a player and as a person.

“I look at some of the other players who have come through the Academy and who are playing week in, week out, following in the footsteps of someone like Gabby Agbonlahor. That’s my motivation and I’m really determined to do everything I can to contribute to the Club.”

UTV

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