BBC pundit praises Jack Grealish display, feels Aston Villa star was ‘robbed’

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BBC pundit and former Tottenham and West Brom attacker Garth Crooks has been singing the praises of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish. 

Aston Villa lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace at the weekend, with former Villa striker Jordan Ayew scoring the winning goal. 

It was a controversial loss for Aston Villa, who had a late Henri Lansbury goal disallowed. Referee Kevin Friend wrongly penalised Grealish for a dive and VAR was then not allowed to be utilised to rectify his error.

Crooks defender Grealish, whilst also speaking highly of his captain’s performance in his BBC Sport Team of the Week column. 

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“I don’t normally select players on the losing side but on this occasion, I must make an exception. Jack Grealish not only gave a captain’s performance against Crystal Palace but was robbed of the part he played in providing Villa with what would have been an impressive and justified equaliser.

“Kevin Friend’s shocking decision to disallow Henri Lansbury’s 96th-minute goal after Grealish’s brilliant run ranks amongst the worst decisions I’ve seen in years.”

There is no doubt that the referee cost Grealish a perfectly acceptable assist this weekend but that does not take away from a decent performance from the midfielder. 

Grealish will undoubtedly feel aggrieved at once again missing out on an England call-up this month and performances like this can only continue to put his name in the frame for Gareth Southgate. 

It certainly seems he has a fan in Crooks.