Perplexed Aston Villa star Jack Grealish highlights stick from Leeds United fans

One year after facing Leeds in the 2018-19 Championship campaign, Grealish was the most fouled player in the Premier League last season and the midfielder admits he takes plenty of flak from opposition fans for frequently hitting the deck.

The England international says the stick is usually coming from fans of the same particular clubs - notably Villa's close rivals Birmingham City, West Brom and Wolves - but to Grealish's confusion also Leeds.

Grealish was fouled 167 times last season - becoming the most fouled player since the 1998-99 season - and the midfielder was asked by Soccer AM if constantly getting kicked wound him up or if it was a positive.

"I try and take it as a positive," said Grealish.

"There are times where it comes and obviously it's annoying, when you are on the breakaway or something and there's a time you can set a team mate up or go yourself and someone brings you down.

"But in my position, it's going to happen.

"I get so much stick honestly on social media and everything from opposition fans saying you go down too easily which at times I probably do.

"That's just the player that I am and that's just the team I'm in at the moment.

"We're not the biggest possession-based team in the league, sometimes we're a team that needs to slow the game down.

"It's part of my game, what I've got to do.

"We're good from set-pieces.

"That's not saying I dive at all - but there's a difference between winning fouls and diving."

Asked if the stick he received from opposition fans annoyed him, Grealish smiled: "I don't mind at all stick off opposition fans, it's usually just off the same fans if I'm honest.

"It's just Blues fans, West Brom, Wolves and then Leeds for some reason.

"I'm not sure why Leeds fans - I can obviously understand the ones that are like close to us and rivals.

"But it's all just banter isn't it at the end of the day."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/he-great-influencer-leeds-united-boss-marcelo-bielsa-hailed-pablo-aimar-after-fifa-nomination-3066041

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins