How Grealish kerfuffle could wreck Villa star’s England hopes…

The majority of fans and pundits would probably agree that Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish is a more gifted footballer than James Maddison of Leicester City. The observation is made because by the time the rearranged Euro 21 competition comes around one of these players is highly likely to be in the No.10 role for England.

But, and it is a big but, the one aspect that may well hand the job to the Foxes star Maddison is the mindset of the Villa Park playmaker. Because making it at the highest level in football isn’t all about ability. Yes, Grealish – tipped to sign for Manchester United in the summer – is more mercurial than Maddison; can seemingly affect the game more often and has a sharper instinct in getting the best out of the positions he takes up, making the Villa team tick (when they do that is…take a look at their league position).

But his brain, albeit sharp on the pitch, seems to turn to mush when it comes to his private life. This week Grealish has taken to social media platforms to apologise for a rush of blood to the head that saw him attend a party and then allegedly crash his motor. All during the midst of a global coronavirus pandemic when all of us are supposed to be maintaining a social distancing stance.

Villa captain Grealish admitted he was deeply embarrassed after he was snapped at the scene of accident on Sunday. The alleged collision is said to have come after Grealish, who is aged 24, had posted on social media asking supporters to stay home during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Grealish, who is yet to make his England debut, said:

“I got a call off a friend asking to go around and I stupidly agreed. I don’t want anyone to make the same mistake I did. I know it’s a tough time for everyone at the moment being locked indoors for so long. But I urge everyone to stay indoors and follow the guidelines and I know I’ll be doing that in the near future now.”

He has been disciplined and fined by the Aston Villa hierarchy with the money donated to The University Hospitals Charity in Birmingham. A Villa statement read:

“Aston Villa is deeply disappointed that one of our players ignored the Government’s guidance on staying at home during the coronavirus crisis. Club captain Jack Grealish has accepted that his decision to leave his house was wrong and entirely unnecessary.”

During the whole kerfuffle Maddison, meanwhile, was probably at home doing the right thing. The point is that perhaps he is the better choice when it comes to Three Lions’ silverware bid next summer. He already has one cap at international level…expect more.