Steve Bruce: Jack Grealish has benefited from a culture change at Aston Villa
Steve Bruce believes Jack Grealish is reaping the benefits of a cultural change at Villa after the playmaker helped put them on course for the play-off final.
Grealish had a starring role as Villa claimed a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough in Saturday’s semi-final first leg, setting up Mile Jedinak for the only goal of the game.
The performance continued an excellent season for the 22-year-old, who has in recent produced the most consistent form of his career.
Bruce reckons both stability and the arrival of veterans including John Terry have been key to getting Grealish firmly on the right track.
“It is a cultural change,” said the boss. “Grealish, by the time he was 21, had five different managers, all telling him different s***, basically.
“It is important he had a bit of stability, a bit of focus to see what he can achieve.
“Gone are the days when you can go nightclubbing and all the rest of it. You have to go and focus on what you want to do. The dressing room, with the ones I have brought in, have helped with that.”
Bruce claims Terry has helped to sort out a dressing room which had become “toxic” during years of decline, which resulted in Villa’s relegation from the Premier League two years ago.
“It was important people like Grealish saw someone like John,” he said. “The dressing room had been toxic for years.
“This is the way you do it, this is how you look after yourself. It is alright a manager bleating at them but when they see a top pro do it.
“To be fair, (Glenn) Whelan is the same, (Ahmed) Elmohamady is the same, (Mile) Jedinak is the same. All of those who have played at the top level have been crucial to the young ones.”
Villa and Boro now meet again in tomorrow night’s second leg, with Bruce warning the tie is a long way from over.
“They have had good results away from home, arguably better than at home under Tony,” said Bruce. “I do not think we are going to take anything for granted.
“In a semi-final everyone is nervous and edgy but we have handled coming away. We will have a big, expectant crowd at Villa Park.
“It will be a great night, though it will only be a really great night if we win it. Let’s hope we do that.”
