Carlo wants big attitude adjustment
DEAN SMITH admits Jack Grealish is obsessed with his stats and is ready to ram them back at critic Graeme Souness after finding his “rhythm”.
The Villa captain looked back to his best against Crystal Palace for the club’s first win in 11 games.
It was a welcome return to form for the £70million Manchester United target, who is the most fouled player in the Premier League. But that stat sparked criticism from TV pundit Souness who said the playmaker is potentially holding on to the ball too long and missing the bigger picture.
Grealish responded by tweeting “Can’t please everybody” (above) alongside the stat showing he is second to only Kevin De Bruyne in chances created. And Smith knows Villa need Grealish to shine tonight at Everton as they battle the drop.
Smith said: “Does he get stung by criticism? Probably, I think everybody does. If you get criticised, you want to prove people wrong. Hopefully he’s doing that. He has been striving to put in good performances. He probably hasn’t got to the levels he would have liked to in the first six games.
“I can assure you it has not been for the want of trying. But he certainly got there against Crystal Palace.
“When you get a player like Jack Grealish in rhythm it is a quality we certainly require at Aston Villa.”
As well as earning the free-kick for Villa’s opener against Palace, Grealish won possession back nine times – a post-restart high for him. He is now looking to add to his seven Premier League goals and six assists this season.
Smith added: “Jack will be the first one who tells you everything about his stats. He knows more than even our analysts.
“And he speaks to the coaches about what he can do better. That is all you want, a player who asks questions and pushes us as coaches to make them better.”
CARLO ANCELOTTI has told his struggling stars their attitude has been nowhere near good enough.
After three embarrassing performances on the bounce, culminating in humiliation at Wolves, the Everton boss said: “If something is wrong, I have to say clearly what it is. In the last few days we have focused on the attitude. “You need to change the attitude fast. There are moments in a season where you must improve your commitment, concentration and motivation to move on from a difficult moment.” The Toffees host Villa tonight and Ancelotti (above) revealed he had spoken to struggling keeper Jordan Pickford. He added: “He knows he can do better and is critical of himself. I hope there is improvement in the next games.”
EVERTON:
VILLA:
REFEREE: