OPINION
Aston Villa won promotion to the Premier League on Monday after a three-year absence from the top flight, after a 2-1 win over Derby County at Wembley.
This victory meant everything to the Villans, none more so important than increasing their chances of keeping hold of their top talents who risked leaving should they have failed.
Top of that list is cult-hero Jack Grealish, who under Dean Smith, captained his side to their promotion run after a terrible start to the season. The 21-year-old has reportedly attracted strong interest from top-flight side Tottenham, a move that would suit his style perfectly.
Speaking of the homegrown Villa ace and the speculation, ex-England defender Danny Mills has tipped Grealish to stay at his boyhood club and called any move away from Villa a ‘sideways’ move with not much point behind it.
He told Football Insider: “Why should Grealish move? I can’t see that happening. Aston Villa are a big club and have the potential to stay in the Premier League for a long time.
“Would he get into a top-six side on a regular basis? No, he wouldn’t. Any other move would be a sideways one.”
Mills is right to suggest that now Villa are back in the Premier League, there is not much reason for Grealish to move away to clubs in similar positions, but a move to Tottenham is a much better prospect. It can be seen as a second chance at the top-flight after the England youth international made his debut in the same league in 2015.
Villa were relegated after only winning three games that season and the midfield ace must be desperate for another shot at the big time at his club but the draw of a top-four club such as Tottenham could offer Grealish so much more.
It is no secret that Spurs reportedly want Grealish and the opportunity to win silverware and compete in the Champions League which could give the 21-year-old a much bigger platform to improve his game even better. This could be different at Villa who could struggle in the Premier League with their side needed a big overhaul in the summer.
Although Dean Smith has worked wonders during his short stay at Villa Park, the prospect of working with Mauricio Pochettino in Tottenham’s brand new stadium would develop Grealish into to an even better talent.
The possession based football employed by the Argentine would suit him perfectly and allow him to be on the ball as much as possible and combine with world-class talents such as Harry Kane.
Grealish was outstanding in leading his club to promotion, scoring six and assisting eight in a campaign where he epitomised what is needed to make the leap to the Premier League – it’s time for him to take himself to the next level.