Gary Thompson: Take the Aston Villa pressure off Jack Grealish
Club hero Garry Thompson has warned Villa they must ease the creative burden on skipper Jack Grealish during the summer transfer window.
Villa have won only two out of eight matches Grealish has missed with a shin injury and lost ground in the race for European football.
Former striker Thompson, who played for Villa between 1986 and 1988, thinks signing a top class talent who can add flair and support Grealish must be the priority ahead of next season.
He said: “They need more creativity, someone who can help Jack and ensure they aren’t so dependent on him.
“Without him in the team they have really struggled to create chances. There just hasn’t been enough consistency from the likes of Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi.
“I also think they need another centre-forward to help Ollie Watkins. He has been brilliant this season but there isn’t really any cover or competition.”
Villa sit 11th in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s visit of leaders Manchester City.
With three of their eight remaining matches against Everton or Tottenham, Dean Smith’s men are still within striking distance of a seventh-placed finish, which might be enough to secure a place in Europe.
Thompson thinks that whatever happens over the season’s final weeks, the campaign has been a success.
He said: “If they were to finish somewhere between eighth and 10th you would have to say it has been a great season, considering how close they came to getting relegated a year ago.
“Next season is when there will be more expectation and why it is important they get the summer recruitment right again.
“Just at the moment it feels like the team has hit a bit of a wall. They just don’t have the same strength in depth as some of the other squads in the top half.”
