Aston Villa confirm investigation into Jack Grealish hotel party claims
Jack Grealish has become embroiled in another off-field controversy with Aston Villa investigating claims the midfielder held a raucous all-night party at a Birmingham hotel.
A report in the Daily Mail alleges the 21-year-old, who signed a new deal at Villa Park earlier this month, infuriated other guests with a bash which took place at the Park Regis Hotel, on Broad Street, after Villa's 0-0 draw at Ipswich last Saturday and lasted until almost 8am on Sunday morning.
It is claimed the party included balloons filled nitrous oxide, known more commonly as 'hippy crack' - although there is no suggestion Grealish himself used the legal high.
West Midlands Police have confirmed officers attended the hotel at 7.45am after other guests raised concerns over a "rowdy party" amid claims some revellers were refusing to leave. No arrests were made, though 12 people, both men and women, left the hotel.
A spokesman for Villa confirmed the club were investigating the claims.
Birmingham-born Grealish is regarded as one of the brightest prospects to have come through Villa's academy but his short-career has contained a number of off-field incidents.
In April 2015 he apologised to then Villa manager Tim Sherwood after being pictured inhaling 'hippy crack'. He was then snapped passed out on the floor while on holiday in Tenerife the following summer.
Grealish endured a miserable 2015-16 season, playing in just 16 Premier League games as Villa were relegated from the top flight. Last November, he was fined and dropped to the under-21s by boss Remi Garde after being pictured out partying just hours after a 4-0 defeat at Everton.
Under new manager Roberto Di Matteo, Grealish has made an encouraging start to the new campaign, scoring two goals in eight appearances and agreeing a new deal which will keep him at Villa Park until 2020.
