JACK LOVING FLAK ATTACK
JACK GREALISH is hoping he’s kicked to pieces tonight – because that means he’s played a starring role in taking Aston Villa to Wembley.
The midfielder is braced for another bruising night against Middlesbrough after his man-ofthe-match display in Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg.
A repeat performance by Grealish could leave Steve Bruce’s side just 90 minutes away from a Premier League return.
Mile Jedinak’s early header has given Villa a 1-0 lead in the tie.
Bruce will be looking for 22-year-old Grealish to pull the strings again.
It’s a role he is relishing even though he knows he’ll be a marked man – and Grealish revealed his former Villa team-mate Adama Traore will be the Boro player who’s given special attention.
“I don’t mind getting kicked,” he said. “I like it. I go on like I don’t but I do. It shows that the opposition are keeping an eye on me.
“It’s the same as Adama. He gets it all the time because he’s such a good player.
“I got on really well with him at Villa and still speak to him. He’s gone to Boro, the manager’s taken to him and he’s taken to the manager. I’m really happy for him.”
After Jedinak put his side in the driving seat, there were no celebrations or back-slapping at a job well done but just a determination to finish the job off tonight.
“As everyone says, it’s just half-time so that would be like celebrating at half-time in a league game,” added Grealish.
“This is my first experience of the play-offs but quite a few of the lads have been in it so they can pass their experience on.
“I’ve played at Wembley in an FA Cup final and semi-final but this will be one of the biggest games I have played in.
“To get this club back to the Premier League where it belongs, these are the ones you live for.”
Bruce said: “Jack’s got that wonderful talent that you sense when he gets the ball that people are on the edge of their seat. “He just looks so confident. Now, when I even see him tackling as well you think maybe, just maybe, it’s sinking in.”
Bruce says interest in the match is such that even he’s been struggling to get an extra ticket.
He said: “You can’t get a ticket for love or money. Today, I tried to get a couple but got knocked back.
“Maybe they’re trying to tell me something, I don’t know. It should be a wonderful spectacle.”