Jack Grealish was heckled by home supporters during Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City on Saturday (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Jack Grealish gesture shows true Manchester City colours after Aston Villa defeat

by · Manchester Evening News

Jack Grealish used a clear gesture to remind Aston Villa supporters who booed him on Saturday of his achievements since joining Manchester City for £100m from the Midlands club.

There was little for Man City to shout about at Villa Park in this final fixture before Christmas. Phil Foden managed to grab his first goal of the season but it was too little too late as the hosts ran out comfortable 2-1 winners.

With one win in their last 12 outings in all competitions, Pep Guardiola's side are nine points off Premier League leaders Liverpool - who have two games in hand - and even face a struggle to make the top four, currently sitting sixth with opportunity to slip further down the standings before the weekend is up.

One of Man City's stars that received his fair share of stick from Villa supporters was Grealish. The 29-year-old left his boyhood club to join Guardiola's group in 2021 in a £100m deal and was targeted with persistent heckling.

But in response, Grealish reminded his former supporters of the exact reason he departed for Manchester. Looking towards the crowd at the full-time whistle he held up three fingers to signify the three Premier League winners' medals he has claimed since departing their club.

One of those titles was part of the 2022/23 treble-winning campaign, during which the England international was an integral star. In all competitions he netted five and assisted 11 goals.

In the midst of Man City's current predicament his manager is currently crying out for a player to hit the form Grealish did back then.

With no goal against his former team today, Grealish will officially pass the 365-day marker - or 45 matches to be exact - without scoring for Man City.