Aston Villa hero Jack Grealish dedicates Second City derby goal to late brother

The lifelong Villa fan netted his first career goal against Blues to help Dean Smith’s men record a 4-2 victory over their rivals in a pulsating encounter.

Grealish revealed he had tears in his eyes when he headed home Albert Adomah’s 39th-minute cross, later dedicating the strike to his brother Keelan, who passed away when the Villa star was just four years old.

He said: “It’s a moment I dreamed of as a fan. To score, I got emotional because of my little brother who passed away. I dedicated the goal to him.

“I had tears in my eyes. I was crying because I have all my family here. I have 20 people in the box and ten more tickets, about 30 people here. Since I have been a kid I have always wanted to play against Blues.”

Grealish now hopes to succeed Gabriel Agbonlahor, who scored in five games against Blues, as Villa’s hometown derby hero.

He continued: “I have always watched the derbies. You have the games against Wolves and West Brom but I don’t think any of them are as big as this one.

“I remember playing on a Sunday, in the morning, then rushing back for the match. Gabby would score. That’s why he is my all-time hero. He scored in so many derbies, didn’t he? Often late on. I would love to do what he has done. To contribute with a goal today was unbelievable for me.”

Grealish’s goal put Villa 2-1 ahead and came just two minutes after Jonathan Kodjia had cancelled out Lukas Jutkiewicz’s opener for the visitors.

Tammy Abraham increased Villa’s advantage from the penalty spot early in the second half and though a Kristian Pedersen goal gave Blues hope, Alan Hutton extinguished it with a superb solo effort, which saw the Scot run 50 yards from his own half before slotting past Lee Camp.

Grealish said: “It was unbelievable, wasn’t it? I was next to him. I think he ran past Craig Gardner and I thought Craig was going to give him a kick. He just carried on! It was a great goal and I know how much it means to Hutts. He is a great player and has been a great servant to this club. I am over the moon for him.”