Jack Grealish's intense will to win often led to heated exchanges with John Terry during training sessions at Aston Villa, according to former manager Dean Smith. Smith revealed that Grealish frequently criticised Terry's refereeing decisions, prompting Smith to intervene and calm the captain down.
Speaking on the Claret & Blue podcast, Smith said: 'He had such a will to win. There were a few times I had to calm him down on the training ground because he'd go off at some refereeing decisions by JT or Richard O'Kelly.' Smith added that Grealish's passion sometimes extended to frustration with teammates' standards, but he would quickly revert to his usual cheerful demeanour.
Smith also recounted a humorous incident during a pre-season camping trip to the Brecon Beacons, where Grealish and current skipper John McGinn sneaked out to a nearby pub. The pair walked a mile in the dark wearing their Aston Villa training kit. Grealish offered to buy drinks for everyone if they kept quiet, but they were caught when they returned to the campsite howling like wolves outside coach Craig Shakespeare's tent.
Grealish, now at Manchester City, is set to return to Villa Park with Everton tomorrow. Smith admitted that managing Grealish's off-field antics required frequent 'curly finger' talks, warning him: 'I don't mind you going out, but don't bring trouble to my door.'
