Jack Grealish snapped back at Aston Villa fans who booed his return to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon with a reminder of his Manchester City achievements after the final whistle.
The £100million Manchester City man left Villa in 2021 and was welcomed back to his old club with a chorus of boos every time he had a touch during City’s limp 2-1 Premier League defeat.
But letting his temper get the better of him at full-time, Grealish was keen to offer an on-pitch retort as he held up three fingers to signify the three Premier League titles he has won under Pep Guardiola.
Grealish was part of the Catalan’s historic Treble-winning squad in 2023, adding to the list of his accolades, but has been struggling two seasons later.
The England international has failed to score in club colours in his last 45 matches, and was unavailable to help his side turn around their lacklustre form on Saturday.
The hosts struck first on home soil, courtesy of an early goal from Jhon Duran inside the first 20 minutes, and were able to double their lead through Man City academy graduate Morgan Rogers in the second-half.
Hopes of the latest of turnarounds were sparked by Phil Foden two minutes into added time, but Guardiola’s side were once again forced to suffer defeat this season as Villa were able to keep a lid on proceedings as the seconds ticked down.
Grealish’s temper had flared earlier in the match when the 29-year-old was involved in a half-time altercation with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez at half-time.
As the game reached the halfway point, Grealish could be seen appearing to protest the lack of stoppage time in the first half.
Then, as both teams made their way off the pitch the England international could be seen exchanging words with his former team-mate Martinez.
Erling Haaland played peacemaker, getting between the two men as they remained animated on their way off the pitch.
The conversation continued down the tunnel and the Argentine was subsequently booked by referee Peter Bankes for his involvement in the incident.
Man City are in the midst of their worst-ever run of form under Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension just last month to extend his stay at the Etihad beyond the end of the season.
The serial champions are some way off their usual place in the title race with Christmas fast approaching, and after the match, Peter Crouch added his voice to those sceptical the club will be able to mount a second-half-of-the-season title charge.
”I think you have to (write City off in title race),’ the former Premier League forward said on TNT Sports. ‘They’re not showing signs of title-winning form.’
