Former Aston Villa players call on Jack Grealish to set a better example

Grealish was pictured close to his Range Rover last weekend after it collided with two parked vehicles near to a flat belonging to former Villa team-mate Ross McCormack in the Dickens Heath area of Solihull.

The Villa skipper was later fined two weeks’ wages and admitted ‘deep embarrassment’ at the incident. But former B6 heroes Gray and McInally have both been disappointed by the controversy, stating that he need to set a better example as captain of the club.

"I believe he is the right sort, I believe he made a mistake - a massive error of judgement." Gray said, speaking on the Keys & Gray Show.

"I hope that today, as he sits in his home where he will be, he's reflecting on a moment of stupidity."

“A moment of gross stupidity. I’m very disappointed as I’m a massive fan. I’ve watched the kid grow up.

"Yes, when he was 18 or 19 he had one or two issues, but he has matured and grown up, but he has made a massive error of judgement.

"I've seen through history, players err on the side of stupidity. I was one myself, I went out an enjoyed myself, but it was a different world back then.

"Today, you have to be disciplined, you have to be responsible. Jack wants it, there's no doubt in my mind Jack Grealish wants to be the best player he can possibly be.

"Yes, it's gone against him - this. But I don't think it should be held up as a stick to beat him with.

“These kids, and they are still kids, don’t know what to do with themselves. Once you’ve taken their routine away, they are no different to anybody else, and don’t know how to fill their day

"He made a mistake, a big mistake. It really annoyed me and it upset me, because I think he's been unbelievably good this season. Unbelievably good in a struggling side.

"There's been a maturity and an authority about him on the pitch. I thought he had sorted himself out, behaviour wise, off the pitch."

McInally, who featured for Villa between 1987 and 1989, says Grealish made a 'stupid decision', but hopes other footballers will learn from the midfielder's mistake.

"He's not dumb, by any manner or means. But it's a really stupid decision by Jack Grealish." he said, speaking on Sky Sports News.

"Captain of the football club, it's a throw away line but you've got to set a better example.

"It's alright being sheepish after the event but he's the only football player I've known that's been caught doing it.

"He shouldn't be doing it, and it's not as if his football club have told him to stay in or his mum and dad or whoever, it's the government.

"You can't go from one household to to another, and then decide to go back home.

"The good thing is, with a bit of luck, with Jack doing it - hopefully nobody else will do it.

"But I was a bit angry with Jack at the same time. He's a wonderful football player, he's a great asset for Aston Villa and let's just hope he learns his lesson and doesn't do it again.

The controversy has raised questions over teams that could potentially hold an interest in signing the Villa skipper when the transfer window opens, along with his England prospects.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with an attempt to pry him from B6 - and it's considered a certainty that should Villa suffer relegation, that he'd depart the club.

Gray believes that regardless of Villa's league standing, that Grealish will be playing football for a top six club next season. Although interested clubs may consider the situation over the weekend when planning any potential deal.

“The reason why he is at Villa is because he wanted to stay at Villa. Jack Grealish will go this summer, when the transfer window opens – and he’ll go to a top, top club" Gray said.

"When we start back in the new season, whenever that might be, I hate to say this because of Villa - Jack Grealish will not be at Aston Villa, he will be at a top six club."

"If I'm looking at him as a potential buyer, I talk to him and I find out if it was just one blip, if it was just one error of judgement, because if it is then it doesn't stop me wanting him in my team."