Aston Villa winger Robert Snodgrass has revealed a training ground argument between Jack Grealish and Steve Bruce that saw the youngster named ‘teacher’s pet.’
Grealish has been a key player for Villa this season as they push for promotion back to the Premier League, with the 22-year-old midfielder coming back strong from a freak kidney injury at the beginning of the campaign.
Speaking on the ‘On the Bish’ podcast, Snodgrass described a training ground quarrel between the youngster and manager Bruce, with Grealish saying that the boss preferred the Scotland international to him.
As quoted by the Birmingham Mail, he said: “He feels as if the manager doesn’t like him at times because he’s always on at him to deliver. He’s that good, he’s a great player.
“So he once had an argument in training that the gaffer likes me better than him. The gaffer was going, ‘Did I come and visit you when you were not well?’
“And then all the boys were on him, saying ‘You’re the teacher’s pet!'”
Villa looked set to compete for automatic promotion this season but a poor run of two defeats and a draw has put paid to their chances of finishing second.
The club now sit in fourth in the Championship table, two points behind Fulham and five points ahead of Derby with seven games remaining in the season.
OPINION
Grealish’s performances for Villa this season have been sublime, and it is not clear where exactly the club would be without him. While his figures of one goal and six assists do not look too impressive, it has been his all-round play for Villa that has been so important. Grealish helps the Villa attack tick along, as he sits in behind and finds holes to exploit. His displays have begged the question of whether he could produce consistently in the Premier League, with Villa fans hoping the club allow him to answer next season. First though, Villa must secure their play-off spot, which is looking good for now.