Jack Grealish has earned a better Aston Villa reunion to make final Man City transfer point

"It just had to be against Aston Villa, didn’t it? Couldn't have been any other game!"

For Jack Grealish, there's more than just a debut Premier League winner's medal on offer in Manchester City's title-decider against Aston Villa this weekend. His reaction to the fact that his current club would have to beat his former club showed he was well aware that he would attract a big chunk of the narrative on a final day already full of storylines that need wrapping up.

But Grealish can afford to laugh these days and will be ready to justify his decision to leave Villa for City in the summer if the Blues can get their hands on the Premier League trophy. There may be a minority in the away end at the Etihad on Sunday ready to boo him, although his three-minute cameo in the reverse fixture shows that maybe things will be different for his latest reunion with Villa.

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In December, Grealish was 14 games into his City career, with all eyes firmly on whether he was justifying his £100million fee or not. He had just two goals and three assists, and had been left out of the team for the previous three league games due to a mixture of inconsistent performances and injury. He was named on the bench at Villa Park, and would only be introduced in the 87th minute, with City defending a 2-1 lead.

Grealish was booed onto the pitch by the supporters who adored him only months before, and was jeered with every touch. However, as City held on for the win, Grealish made an effort to take the long route back to the dressing rooms after City players applauded the away end.

He received a mixed reaction as he approached the Holte End to applaud the Villa support, although