Express & Star

Jack Grealish delighted Aston Villa decision already bearing fruit

Jack Grealish reckons Sunday’s stunning 7-2 win over Liverpool has further vindicated his decision to stay at Villa.

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The 25-year-old was widely tipped to leave at the start of the transfer window but instead committed his future to his boyhood club last month by signing a new five-year contract.

Villa have now enjoyed their best start to a league season since 1962, with the thumping of the Premier League champions ranking among the greatest results in the club’s modern history.

Grealish, who scored two and made three more as the Reds were routed, said: “This is what I dreamed of when I signed the new deal.

“I didn’t want it to be like last season where we were struggling toward the end of the season.

“This is how I saw it and the manager persuaded me this is how it would be. Thank god it is.”

Club record signing Ollie Watkins became the first Villa player since Christian Benteke to net a top flight hat-trick while another new recruit, Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley, also netted on debut.

John McGinn bagged Villa’s other goal, while Mo Salah scored twice for Liverpool, who were condemned to their heaviest-ever Premier League defeat.

“It was unbelievable,” continued Grealish. “There were a few times in the second half when we went 6-2 and then 7-2 up when we were celebrating and saying to each other ‘what is going on?’

“It’s crazy isn’t it? The champions from last season who are obviously a brilliant side.

“But I don’t know, we have started the season on fire. If you include last season we are now unbeaten in quite a few games. I think everyone is just sky high on confidence.

“We have brought in some great players, the likes of Roscoe and Ollie and Cashy who have all been excellent.

“It is one of those where you don’t want the games to stop. I think the international break has come at a bad time for us.”

Boss Dean Smith, by contrast, believes the near fortnight break until Villa’s next Premier League match at Leicester will help his players get the extraordinary result out of their system.

“I’m thankful there is an international period where we won’t get too carried away,” said Smith.

“We want to remain with our feet on the ground and we know we have to put in these performances week-in, week-out.

“The players will take a moment to realise what they have done against a really good team.

“We won’t get complacent. The players will know how hard they have had to work to go and get a result like that.

“But I also said to them things like this don’t happen every day. You have to make the most of it as well and we will enjoy the moment but be humble enough to know we beat a quality team.”