Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has said that the club could be left with “no choice” but to sell Jack Grealish if they miss out on promotion.
The Villans play Derby in the Championship play-off final on bank holiday Monday later this month, with Dean Smith’s side looking to go one better than last season’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Wembley.
According to Bosnich, Villa must reach the Premier League at the second time of asking or risk having their negotiating powers taken away from them.
“I thought [Grealish] was going to move on after last season’s defeat to Fulham, especially with all the trouble Aston Villa had off the pitch,” the 47-year-old told talkSPORT.
“The fact he stayed says a lot about him, because it would have been easy for him to move on. But if it happens again for the second season they may be left with no choice, both player and the club.”
OPINION
So much is resting on Villa getting back up to the Premier League, and this is one of the main worries. Grealish – despite suffering a shin injury earlier this season and being out of action for a considerable length of time – has been the club’s standout player this term and will be a huge miss to the team if he leaves. Not only is he an all-round brilliant midfielder, but he is a born leader capable of motivating his teammates for any occasion. But sadly, Bosnich is right here. Villa’s main negotiating power with Grealish at the moment is that there is still a possibility they can offer him Premier League football. But if Smith’s side are beaten at Wembley, that guarantee – and it is a big one – is suddenly taken away and the midfielder’s future at Villa Park is suddenly thrown into doubt. Whatever the outcome, Grealish will be doing all he can to help his side beat Frank Lampard’s side on May 27.