JACK GREALISH slumped to the Wembley turf and broke down in tears at full-time of the heartbreaking Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
The Aston Villa hero, 24, was desperate to lead his boyhood club to their first major silverware since 1996 – when he was just six months old.
Jack Grealish was in tears on the Wembley pitch after the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Aston Villa captain was hoping to lead his side to their first major trophy for 24 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Before the game he said: “If I could get my hands on that trophy it would be a dream come true
“I know what I want to do in my career: play for Aston Villa, play for England and win trophies.”
But it was not to be for Grealish as Manchester City made it a hat-trick of League Cup triumphs.
At the end of the game, and already struggling with cramp, he sat alone on the pitch and was visibly emotional – two years after crying following the Championship play-off final defeat to Fulham.
Manager Dean Smith, assistant John Terry, some of his team-mates and even a few Manchester City players tried their best to console Grealish – but to no avail.
And it may have been his final chance to win a trophy for his beloved Aston Villa with Manchester United desperate to land the playmaker in the summer.
As revealed by SunSport, the Red Devils are ready to offer him £150,000 a week to join, tripling his current wages.
United initially expressed an interest in Grealish in January and are prepared to pay up to £60million to get their man.
Phil Foden outshone his Villa counterpart throughout, setting up Sergio Aguero’s opener and picking up the man-of-the-match award.
Rodri headed in the Citizens’ second before Samatta scored with a diving header to bring the Villans back into it, but Claudio Bravo’s late save ensured the cup returned to the Etihad again.
And plenty of Twitter users expressed their sympathy for the crestfallen captain.
One said: “Grealish looked so gutted at the end that is what it meant to him respect to all of the team put a shift in today.”
Another wrote: “Nowt wrong with a player crying because the team he supports lost with him in it… I’d be the same if I lost a play-off final with Rotherham… and lets face it, you would love Grealish on your team.”
And a third added: “Okay this is really sad.”
He struggled with cramp at the end of the game as Villa fell just shortCredit: Getty Images – Getty
John Terry tried his best to cheer up the playmaker but to no availCredit: Reuters
Manchester City stars as well as plenty of fans on Twitter were full of sympathy for GrealishCredit: Getty Images – Getty
With Manchester United hoping to sign him in the summer, it may well have been his last chance of glory with his boyhood clubCredit: PA:Press Association
Grealish was outperformed by teenager Phil Foden in the finalCredit: Reuters
Man City kitman Brandon Ashton celebrates in traditional style after Carabao Cup win
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
