Captain Jack Grealish signs 5-year contract to remain at Aston Villa

It looks like Villa fans will not have to be sweating deadline day in fear of losing Jack Grealish at the last minute. Instead, on the same day as Villa’s first match, the club announced a new deal for the captain and the intend to build the team around the local lad.

CEO Christian Purslow said as part of the announcement, “Jack is an emblem of our Owner’s vision for Aston Villa. He joined our Club as a local boy aged six and has developed into one of the country’s finest players finally becoming a full England international last week. We are determined to build a top team around him and are delighted that he is extending his contract and committing himself to the club he loves.”

No one doubts the love Jack has for the club. If he had left for a top club, most fans would have understood the move and offered applause when he returned to Villa Park wearing different colors. But the confluence of no one meeting the club’s valuation, the owners selling Jack on the plan and Jack buying into it — led to this outcome.

Jack Grealish told the club, “I am delighted to make this commitment to Villa. It is my club, my home and I am very happy here. The owners have made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa. There are exciting times ahead and I am very glad to be part of it.”

Now the owners, staff, and coaches have to do it. Today is a good day to be an Aston Villa supporter.