Ben Foster Weighs in on Jack Grealish’s Potential Aston Villa Return
Former goalkeeper Ben Foster has shared his thoughts on a possible Aston Villa return for Jack Grealish, as speculation grows over the midfielder’s future at Manchester City.
The England international left Villa Park in 2021, sealing a £100 million move to City, where he has since won an array of silverware, including three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Champions League. However, the past year has been far from smooth sailing for the 29-year-old, leading to doubts about his long-term future under Pep Guardiola.
Foster’s Verdict on Grealish’s Villa Chances
As speculation mounts, Foster has questioned whether Grealish would even get into Villa’s starting XI under Unai Emery if he were to make a dramatic return to B6.
Speaking on the Football Fill-In podcast (28 February), Foster said:
🗣️ “Thing is, if Grealish went back to Villa, he wouldn’t play. You look at this Villa team now, it’s about as good as I’ve seen it.”
He went on to compare Emery’s side to some of Villa’s finest teams of the past:
🗣️ “The best starting XI for this Villa team is up there with the Gareth Barry, James Milner, Ashley Young, and Gabby Agbonlahor days. That team was phenomenal.”
Has Guardiola Stifled Grealish’s Game?
Grealish was a standout performer during his time at Villa, becoming one of the Premier League’s brightest talents despite playing for a midtable side under Dean Smith. His natural flair, creativity, and ability to drive forward made him the heartbeat of the team.
However, his transition to Guardiola’s high-functioning system at City has seen some of his individual brilliance stripped away in favor of tactical discipline. Some argue this has made him a less appealing prospect for other clubs, should City choose to offload him.
Would Villa Fans Welcome Him Back?
Despite the emotional connection between Grealish and Villa, a return would present challenges. With players like Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers already in the squad, competition for places would be fierce.
Furthermore, Grealish’s numbers this season highlight his struggles:
| Premier League 2024/25 Stat | Jack Grealish |
|---|---|
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Successful dribbles | 13 |
| Chances created | 22 |
| Duels won | 44 |
While a return to Villa Park may be romanticized by some fans, it remains to be seen whether Grealish himself would even be open to such a move.
With the summer transfer window approaching, his future at Manchester City—and whether Villa would entertain bringing him back—will be one of the biggest talking points in the coming months.
