Jack Grealish could not hide his delight with one of his former teammates Ollie Watkins
Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and other famous footballers were left applauding what one Aston Villa star did while on international duty.
These days, Aston Villa have several players who represent their nation and while that is a positive for the club and city as a whole, it leaves Unai Emery feeling worried.
Emery can ill afford to see any of his players suffer injuries during the break but sometimes they’re unavoidable, as Ian Maatsen was sent home from Netherlands under-21 duty and Pau Torres complained of a muscle strain in Spain’s training camp.
Villa defender Ezri Konsa also suffered an injury for England as they secured a 3-0 win over Greece in the Nations League.
Konsa will have a scan today to determine the extent of the injury, as everyone associated with the club is hoping for the best.
The 27-year-old going off at half-time however, couldn’t overshadow what a special night it was for his teammate Morgan Rogers.
Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish applaud Morgan Rogers on national duty
Rogers was a late inclusion in Carsley’s England squad for their matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Villa’s attacking midfielder Rogers spoke of the ‘surreal’ moment he received the call-up, with his dreams coming true on Thursday night.
When Tuchel has a fully fit squad to select from next year, it will be difficult for Rogers to cement his place in the side, although he proved last night that he belongs on the biggest stage.
He was only on the pitch for 24 minutes but he oozed class in his attacking midfield role, linked play well and looked a constant threat.
Rogers will hope he can play more of a starring role on Sunday, as England host the Republic of Ireland in the final game of the Nations League campaign.
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has been tipped to return to Aston Villa “when the time is right” by former team-mate Henri Lansbury.
Grealish, who came through the Aston Villa youth academy and rose to first-team stardom, has enjoyed a successful career since joining City in 2021, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown as part of Pep Guardiola’s side.
The England international had a diminished role last season, though, as he started 10 of his 20 Premier League appearances, while he has been named on the bench on several occasions this term, too. Lansbury has suggested his fellow ex-Villa star feels stifled by Guardiola’s tactics at City and feels a move back to his old stomping grounds is a possibility.
“Look, he wants to do unbelievable, but this is just a totally different playing style under Pep Guardiola. You see him do bits here and there, and he will still get assists and goals – I’m sure he’ll want to do more himself,” Lansbury said, according to Birmingham Live.
“In terms of an Aston Villa return… I think it’s something he’d want to do, but it would have to be when the time is right for him. For me, his standout moment in a Villa shirt was that goal against Birmingham, when he got punched. I wasn’t playing in that game… I was either left out or on the bench! Look, he really does hate the Blues, and given what happened in that game, it was just such a nice thing to see: a local kid score in that derby.”
Grealish has been out injured for City in recent weeks, but he was named in the England squad for their upcoming games against Greece and Ireland. Interim Three Lions manager Lee Carsley said that the winger is expected to be fit ahead of the clash with Greece on November 14.
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