Journalist Darren Lewis has hinted that Aston Villa are potentially turning into a one-man team and are over-reliant on Jack Grealish.
The England international has been out injured for the past few weeks, and according to Aston Villa boss Dean Smith (via Birmingham Live), is set to also be out for this weekend’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Given the fact Grealish has played a part in 47% of their goals during the Premier League this season with six goals and 12 assists, it’s hard to deny that he is a crucial part of how they play, and on top of that, they have lost two of the three games that he has been out for recently, including to bottom team Sheffield United.
And speaking on the TalkSPORT Gameday podcast, Lewis thinks that they are in danger of stagnating without Grealish in the team and need to do something to prove they can cope without him in the lineup.
He said: “It’s been alarming, and quite disappointing in some respects, that we’re back to saying that Villa need Grealish, because for a long time defensively, they were very, very good. And John Terry’s been doing some terrific work there.
“But I think they’ve shown that they just don’t have that creative spark in the final third without Grealish. And if someone comes and pinches him in the summer, they’re gonna have to find a way to find someone or develop someone who can give that to them.”
Are you confident Villa can beat Wolves without Grealish?
Yes
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TIF Thoughts on Darren Lewis’ comments about Jack Grealish and Aston Villa…
The stats certainly do back up Lewis’ claim, and whilst Villa do have players that can make a difference high up the pitch like Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore and John McGinn, the team can’t seem to get into that extra gear without Grealish in the side.
And given how close they are to European football this season, if they want to take that next step as a club having narrowly avoided relegation last season, then they are going to have to find a way of doing it without him.
Otherwise they do risk losing him and then they’ll be without him for good rather than just for a few weeks.