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Jack Grealish Getting Attacked During The Birmingham Derby Then Scoring The Winner Shows His Elite Mentality

Jack Grealish Getting Attacked During The Birmingham Derby Then Scoring The Winner Shows His Elite Mentality

Is there a better way to respond?

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Jack Grealish was once attacked by a fan during Birmingham City vs Aston Villa - then responded by scoring the game's winning goal.

Grealish is a boyhood Villa fan and captained the side on their visit to St. Andrews in March 2019.

In the fourth minute, Maikel Kieftenbeld brought Grealish down and received a booking, but home fans thought it was a theatrical dive and booed. Six minutes later, one fan took it too far.

Paul Mitchell struck Grealish from behind during the first-half and brought the game to a temporary stop.

While it would've been easy for the England international to react with violence, he did his talking on the pitch.

With the game locked at 0-0 in the 67th minute, the 25-year-old received the ball just outside the penalty area, before drifting inside and firing a shot past Lee Camp.

Overjoyed, he ran to the away end and celebrated like he never has before or since.

Villa went on to win the game and sealed promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the game, Grealish focused on captaining the side and explained: "Best day of my life.

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PA
Image
PA

"To come here for the first time as captain of Aston Villa and then score the winner - it's what dream are made of, especially being an Aston Villa fan."

When asked about the attack, he said: "I was just unaware at the time. "I think we had a corner or a throw-in and I was walking into position when I felt a whack around the side of my face.

"Obviously there is rivalry in football but I don't think there is any place for that really.

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PA

"I just try and get on with my job in the end and I thought I did. I scored the winner and we came away with all three points.

"It was unbelievable in front of our fans. After what happened in the first half I think it was set up for it. Captaining the club here is something I dreamed of since I was a kid."

Since then Grealish has established himself as one of the Premier League's top players, playing a key role in their survival last season.

Dean Smith's side are currently ninth in the table.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Football News, Aston Villa, Football, Jack Grealish, Birmingham City, championship