Grealish shuts out transfer talk to save Villa from drop
Tierney’s tops weST HaM .... a Villa .... Cherries down
DaRRen lewiS aT lonDon STaDiUM
JACK GREALISH wrote one final twist for Aston Villa as a fairytale finish saw them beat the drop.
The 24-year-old, a boyhood fan and now club captain, has been written about so much this season but he appeared to craft his own headlines thanks to a superb strike with just six minutes left.
And while West Ham sub Andriy Yarmelenko netted a reply just 60 seconds later, his effort deflecting off Grealish of all people, a point was enough for safety.
Villa boss Dean Smith said: “I was brought up a Villa fan so it’s a proud moment and feels better than going up last season. It was a big change we had to make. It’s a magnificent achievement.
“We used the pandemic to the best. I lost my father through that period and there was disappointment but we knew we had to work hard.
“I’ve lost my voice. I expect Jack to get drunk with me tonight – that’s all I can say. I will speak to the owners tomorrow.”
Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane added: “Jack tepped up to the plate when we needed it most, like he’s done all season. We needed that bit of magic.
I’m just over the moon to get over the line.”
For five and a half months Smith’s promoted side languished in the drop zone, choking and spluttering in the dust of the battle-hardened clubs better suited to the top flight.
Between February and July – allowing for the lockdown – Smith’s men were beaten in eight of their 10 league games, drawing the other two.
Heads could have dropped. The patience upstairs could have snapped. Neither did.
But victory at home to Palace on July 12, a point at Everton on July 16 and a shock win over Arsenal have produced a near miracle.
Either way the whiteknuckle ride at London Stadium encapsulated a campaign in which the leadership of Smith and John Terry has triumphed in adversity.
Hammers boss David Moyes said: “We didn’t play so well today but if you put it in perspective the players have done a brilliant job.
“We are trying to get a young, fresh group of players and they have done really well for us.
“We’re hoping for a couple of weeks away but it’ll be a quick turnaround.”