Samatta gets his chance but Grealish keeps Aston Villa dreaming of glory


Dean Smith gave his new forward Mbwana Samatta his debut yet Jack Grealish showed again he is the heartbeat of the team

They came to see the new signing Mbwana Samatta but left talking about a player whose roots lie much closer to home. Jack Grealish was born just up the road and joined Aston Villa’s academy at the age of six so he knows what a first piece of silverware since 1996 would mean in these parts.

On the evidence of this thrilling performance, during which Villa’s talisman dominated against a Leicester side featuring his potential England rival James Maddison, there can be only one choice for Gareth Southgate when he names his next squad for the friendlies against Italy and Denmark in March.

Related: Trézéguet volleys late winner to send Aston Villa to Carabao Cup final

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