Jack Grealish scored a memorable winner against Birmingham City on March 10, 2019
Manchester City star star Jack Grealish
Manchester City star star Jack Grealish(Image: PA)
Jack Grealish has labelled Aston Villa's famous win over bitter rivals Birmingham City in 2019 as "one of the best days of my life".
Grealish scored the game's only goal at St Andrew's six years ago - March 10, 2019 - to ensure he had the last laugh on a remarkable afternoon in the Second City Derby.
Prior to finding the back of the net with a left-footed effort early in the second half, Grealish was hit on the back of the head by a rogue Birmingham City supporter.
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Jack Grealish made his feelings clear about Aston Villa on Monday
Jack Grealish made his feelings clear about Aston Villa on Monday
Blues supporter Paul Mitchell was jailed for his attack on Grealish and handed a 10-year ban from attending football matches after pleading guilty to assault. In 2022, he was recalled to prison for breaching his banning order by attending Birmingham City against West Bromwich Albion.
On Monday, Grealish shared a post on Aston Villa's official account recalling the famous afternoon at St Andrew's, with Grealish adding: "One of the best days of my life for sure. Always and forever, no matter what. UTV SOTC."
The midfielder's winner was a catalyst for Villa's last-season push towards the play-offs, with Dean Smith's side moving up to ninth in the table with the win.
Villa would later secure a fifth-place finish in the Championship before beating Derby County in the play-off final at Wembley to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Smith praised his captain, Grealish, for his response to the incident.
"Jack Grealish is a mature lad, and he responded well. There was only one way to answer that and that was to pop up with a winner like he did," said Smith. "I'm really proud of the way he handled it. He only came off as he was knackered, cramping up.
"It was a scrappy derby in difficult conditions but we were the better team in the second half and deserved to win.
"A lot has been made of the Birmingham City team spirit, but we showed a lot of spirit ourselves. Conditions were tough but we put in a gritty performance."