GREALISH RETURN IS A BOOST FOR SOUTHGATE
JACK GREALISH gave Gareth southgate something to smile about by making his first appearance for three months in this limp goalless draw.
The Villa skipper had not played since the match at Brighton on February 13 due to a shin issue. But his arrival as a 72nd-minute substitute should — barring another setback — secure his place in southgate’s squad for euro 2020, even though he may not be fully match fit.
The england manager would have been concerned, however, to see Villa defender tyrone Mings receive lengthy treatment in stoppage time with the tournament less than a month away.
‘I twisted the medical staff’s arm to get a few more minutes out of Jack,’ revealed Villa boss Dean smith. ‘He brought a spark straightaway. He won’t be ready to start at Crystal palace on sunday. We’ll be looking to get him 90 minutes somewhere. small steps.’
Grealish’s cameo was eventful. there were the trademark surges with the ball that Villa have lacked in the last 12 games, as well as two scares when the 25-year-old hit the deck after hefty challenges.
Before he replaced Bertrand traore, Grealish’s juggling tricks at half-time had been the most entertaining aspect of a dire game, with Villa missing the attacking energy of the suspended Ollie Watkins. everton are now eight points adrift of a top-four spot and Champions League football, with three games left.
‘We have three games, we’re still in the fight,’ said manager Carlo Ancelotti. ‘We have to try to win the last three games.’
Mings missed Villa’s best chance when he headed wide from six yards in the 17th minute, while Villa keeper emiliano Martinez made good saves from Ben Godfrey and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
the Argentine, signed from Arsenal last summer, has equalled Villa’s premier League record of 15 clean sheets in a season — held by Brad Friedel.
the unmarked Mings somehow directed Douglas Luiz’s cross the wrong side of the near post and then, after the break, Martinez blocked Godfrey’s far-post volley.
He made an even better stop to parry Calvert- Lewin’s 87th-minute header.
Mings collided with Martinez after cutting out Richarlison’s cross, recovering briefly to head the resulting throw-in clear before hobbling off at full-time. ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): MARTINEZ 7; Cash 6 (Elmohamady 45+3min, 6), Konsa 6.5, Mings 6.5, Targett 6; McGinn 6.5, Douglas Luiz 6.5; Traore 5.5 (Grealish 72, 6.5), Barkley 5 (Ramsey 65, 5.5), El Ghazi 5; Davis 6.
Subs not used: Steer, Wesley, Nakamba, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka. Booked: Traore, McGinn.
Manager: Dean Smith 6. EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Pickford 6; Holgate 6.5, Keane 6.5, Godfrey 6.5, Digne 6.5; Coleman 6.5 (Iwobi 75, 6), Doucoure 6.5, Allan 6.5, Sigurdsson 5.5 (Andre Gomes 67, 6); Richarlison 5; Calvert-Lewin 6.
Subs not used: Virginia, Olsen, Delph, King, Nkounkou, Bernard, Davies. Booked: Sigurdsson.
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti 6. Referee: Martin Atkinson 6.