Aston Villa headed into Friday night’s clash at home to Bolton looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Norwich City and QPR, which had dampened the momentum built up from Dean Smith’s first game in charge, a 1-0 victory over Swansea.
However, Smith’s troops showed no sign of any jangled nerves as they exploded out of the block after that man Jack Grealish opened the scoring in the fourth minute after he rounded the keeper then slotted home following an excellent ball through from Tammy Abraham.
It was surprisingly Grealish’s first goal of the Championship season, and Villa fans were quick to shower the winger in praise via the good old medium of Twitter:
He's worth 50 million now, get in jack!!!! #UTV [@LiamKJones]
Imagine not rating Jack Grealish [@__jacksharp10]
Jack Grealish, some baller man [@jack_mullins8]
Grealish does what Grealish wants. [@olicastle]
Why is Jack Grealish still playing in the Championship? He just made a brilliant run, rounded the keeper and slotted in the ball Something Sterling, Rashford, Wellbeck, Morata etc can't do.... #EFL [@FraserJSimpso]
Grealish is one if they players you could watch all day.. glides about the park! Class! [@Lewyhendry4]
Grealish in advanced role = first goal of the season after 3 minutes.
Hardly rocket science was it Steve? [@Novice21]
#Avfc
Grealish, who hadn't scored in the Championship since back in April, will now be hoping he can kick-start his season in front of goal as Villa bid to recover from a dodgy start and fight their way back in the mix for promotion.
Should Villa hold on against Bolton for their second win under new boss Smith they’d jump up from 17th to 13th, and within four points of the play-offs.