ASTON VILLA fans have raged at Gareth Southgate for his comments on Jack Grealish after the playmaker’s starring role in England’s 3-0 win over Wales.
And have some have even accused the Three Lions boss of having an ‘agenda’ against the Villa captain.
Grealish was named Man of the Match on his first international start.
He supplied the assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s opener against Ryan Giggs’ side and looked an attacking menace all night at Wembley.
But a clip circulating on social media of Southgate’s post-match interview has infuriated a number of Villa supporters.
They claim Southgate fails to give enough credit to Grealish – who had a lengthy wait to even be called up to Southgate’s side.
Asked about Grealish, Southgate delivers limited praise before moving the conversation onto Chelsea’s Mason Mount.
He said: “I’m very pleased with him [Grealish] and he’ll be delighted to have had his first start, he’s a different type.”
Southgate was much more effusive in his praise for Mount.
He added: “Mount coming on in a similar position, again I thought he had an excellent impact on the game.
“He presses so well, he moves the ball so quickly and he had a real impact in setting up two or three chances, an immediate impact on the game.”
This is not the first time Southgate has apparently dodged questions on Grealish.
Asked about the 25-year-old’s debut against Denmark in the Nations League last month, Southgate instead went on to talk about Conor Coady, Kalvin Phillips… and Mount again.
Southgate’s comments – or rather lack of them – sparked fury among fans.
One said: “What is Southgate’s agenda against Grealish? If it wasn’t for public opinion Southgate wouldn’t have him in the squad.
“He’s easily England’s best attacking midfielder at the moment, been consistently good for 18 months now.”
Another tweeted: “Southgate looks in pain when he has to give credit to Grealish. What’s wrong?”
A fellow user wrote: “Southgate asked about Grealish and diverts to Mount again!”
One rapped: “Southgate is a fraud. We need a top manager that isn’t going to pick favourites as every England manager seems to do.
“Grealish was class and he can’t even give him a decent amount of credit wigthout talking about someone else.”
Another put: “Gareth Southgate is not a fan of Grealish at all is he.”
And a fellow user said: “Gareth Southgate makes me laugh once again shifting a question about Grealish to talk about Mount – the hate is strong.”
Some disagreed however, with one tweeting: “The agenda against Grealish doesn’t exist. He’s got a track record of having a bad attitude.
“Southgate clearly doesn’t want to inflate his ego anymore.”
