Every time Jack Grealish looks like he’s making strides to realise his potential, he seems to have another setback.
The Aston Villa midfielder ended his winless run earlier this season, and has chipped in with a couple of goals to go along with his big performances in the Championship.
But the goodwill he was gaining soon evaporated after he picked up a needless red card in Villa’s 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The scores were level at 1-1 when Grealish was handed his second booking by referee Paul Tierney, and Forest capitalised on their man advantage when Ben Brereton scored a stoppage-time winner.
RED CARD! Jack Grealish is off. Watch live on Sky Sports 1/Mix or follow here: https://t.co/2oCX8ah4pr pic.twitter.com/FG2uYfeYza
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 4, 2017
Villa boss Steve Bruce claimed the ref “couldn’t wait” to send off his player, saying: “He gives him a yellow card, he’s missed a challenge. There were other challenges that were similar that didn’t get a yellow card.”
Bruce also questioned Grealish’s first booking, for kicking the ball away, but fans of the Midlands club were in no mood to give the 21-year-old the benefit of the doubt.
Grealish should be dropped for a few games. Stupid yellow cards cost us the game. #avfc
— 🏴🏴 (@Elliot_1874) February 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/AVFCMANCHESTER/status/827965322862919682
Don't know where to start with that. In desperate need of an experienced keeper and Grealish so stupid #AVFC
— Lee Bickerton (@Lee_Bickerton) February 4, 2017
Grealish stupid to have got sent off, however it is very clear Bruce has ran out of ideas taking both our strikers off. Shambles. #AVFC
— TP (@tompinder_) February 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/tommybiscuit96/status/827976908788867072
Grealish and Hogan 2 stupid bookings, Grealish sent off cost us dearly non the less an improvement on Brentford but sadly points make prizes
— Dave Green (@DaveGre18367598) February 4, 2017
The result leaves Villa 14th in the Championship table, ahead of today’s opponents on goal difference and some 13 points adrift of the play-off places.
Next up for Bruce’s team is a home meeting with Ipswich Town, who have won just once since the turn of the year.
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
