Player Focus: Grealish the Creative Link Villa Have Been Crying Out For

Aston Villa may have had a troubling weekend, with results before their meeting with Manchester City on Saturday evening not going their way, but there were again more positives to take from an eventual 3-2 defeat than negatives.

Their's was a performance plagued by an opening period not uncommon of a side that had just learned that the teams directly below them in the table had picked up points. Brad Guzan's horrendous early error gifted City the lead before embarrassing 'defending' in the wall for a Kolarov free-kick allowed the hosts to double their advantage in the second half. Villa would mount a spirited comeback but defensive failings again cost them what might have been a decisive point.

Manuel Pellegrini conceded post-match that his side were perhaps fortunate to win, with Villa not only mustering more shots (13 to 11) but also becoming the first team in over six years in the Premier League to have more possession than the hosts at the Etihad (55%). It's true that in the latter stages of Paul Lambert's reign Villa were averaging considerably more possession but there is more to this team than pointless sideways passes under the new manager.

One man (teenager) who exemplifies that more than any other is Jack Grealish, who again was unfazed by the occasion of coming up against the likes of Toure, Silva and Aguero and was arguably the most influential of them all. That after the 19-year-old played a starring role in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in what was just his fifth competitive start for the club.

Grealish has since been in the headlines over an ongoing debate as to his international allegiances as well as becoming the latest impressionable teen caught up in the 'hippy crack scandal'. He, like all of his teammates, took a while to settle at the Etihad but his impact on the game grew as Villa began to retain possession to impressive effect.

Grealish was key to that, and for a side that have been crying out for a link between midfield and attack they may well have nurtured 'one of their own'. The ease with which the Republic of Ireland youth international keeps the ball, often combining in neat triangles with the likes of Delph and Benteke on the left, is mightily impressive. Indeed, a pass accuracy of 91.2% in the Premier League is bettered only by Fernando and Flamini of players with 10 or more appearances, and given their deep-lying position Grealish has been keeping the ball in far more dangerous areas.

The academy graduate has completed a dribble more often than any teammate to have made more than 5 appearances (every 25.8 minutes), including 7 against City - two more than any other player at the weekend. His threat is such that he has also been fouled the most often at the club (every 24.5 minutes) and of all players outside the Premier League's top 7 this season only Ross Barkley and Remy Cabella have completed a pass in the final third more frequently (every 5.9 minutes). His closest challenger at Villa with regards to the latter is Joe Cole, whose influence at the club and indeed on his own game has been heralded by the Villa youngster.

Comparisons can certainly be drawn between the two, with Cole often playing on the left when he came through at West Ham, both prefer to come inside and be in the thick of the action. Cole was a fan favourite for the Hammers from a very young age and was recruited by capital rivals Chelsea at just 21. Having only signed a new contract at Villa this season the Midlands outfit will be desperately hoping that their prized young asset sticks around for longer than Cole did in East London.

His last four starts have showcased great maturity, that after a harsh late dismissal in the cup against West Brom. An impressive WhoScored.com rating of 7.47 in his first league start for the club has since been followed by scores of 7.33, 7.23 and 7.32 against esteemed opposition in Spurs, Liverpool and City respectively.

It’s still incredibly early days in his senior career but the hopes pinned on Grealish at Villa seem justified having had a dearth of true playmakers at the club in recent years. The frustration may well prove that he wasn't entrusted sooner in a season that has been cursed by an inability to score, but perhaps more pertinently create chances. If Villa do avoid the drop, as recent performances suggest that they should, the teenager will no doubt be one to watch in the Premier League next season and renewed interest from the big hitters may be inevitable.

How have you rated Jack Grealish's performances since breaking into the first team at Villa? Let us know in the comments below