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Jack Grealish tipped for stunning return to former club as ‘very good friend’ says ‘it would have to be right for him’
His former team-mate claimed Guardiola's tactics could be stifling him
JACK GREALISH has been tipped to make a shock return to Aston Villa.
The 29-year-old swapped his boyhood club for Manchester City in a £100million deal back in 2021.
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Since joining Pep Guardiola's side, Grealish has won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
But a difficult season last term saw him fail to land a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.
He has also struggled to nail down a spot in the City side this season, being named in the starting XI just six times amid injury issues.
Grealish's "very good friend" and former team-mate Henri Lansbury reckons he could benefit by moving back to Villa.
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He said at the launch of Ladbrokes' Gaffer of all Accas: "The Man City move was an unreal one for Jack. He deserves every bit of success.
"But now that he is there, you can't forget you're putting him in a team where, whoever they are coming up against, they are putting 11 men and their dog behind the ball.
"When he was in the Villa team, it was a case of 'give it to Jack' and let him do his thing.
"It's a totally different thing for him now, but I think he's been fantastic.
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"I am honestly so happy for him. He is one of the nicest kids you will ever meet, and he's also a very good friend of mine.
"But this is just a totally different playing style under Guardiola.
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"You see him do bits here and there, and he will still get assists and goals, but I'm sure he will want to do more himself.
"In terms of an Aston Villa return... I think it's something he would want to do.
"But it would have to be when the time is right for him."
It remains to be seen whether Grealish will one day return to Villa Park and whether they could afford him after PSR battles in the summer.
But it might not take much to convince him to come home as they are currently flying high in the Premier League and Champions League under Unai Emery.
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