Aston Villa enjoyed a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of an injury-time penalty from Anwar El Ghazi, who hailed Jack Grealish after the game for allowing him to take the spot kick.
The 25-year-old came off the bench and dispatched from 12 yards after John McGinn was fouled by Nelson Semedo, but Grealish and Ollie Watkins are the designated penalty takers. The former instead deferred to his Dutch teammate.
El Ghazi made no mistake and told BT Sport (via Birmingham Live) after the game how much the gesture meant to him. He said: “It’s absolutely amazing. We worked hard for this match, we had the week off and we prepared very well in training.
“(The penalty) was between Ollie and Jack and I appreciate Jack gave it to me. I think he would have taken it but he knew my capabilities at taking penalties. It shows he’s a really good guy to give it to me.”
Grealish wasn’t the only player who had El Ghazi’s back either. After the victory over Wolves, Tyrone Mings took to Twitter to shame supporters who abused El Ghazi so much that he deleted his social media profiles.
The England defender posted posted: “Good morning villains. I really hope all you who were berating and hounding El Ghazi enough to make him suspend his social media, are in his DM’s today, apologising. A team game utilises a WHOLE squad and we need everyone… may your apology be as loud as the disrespect.”
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El Ghazi hasn’t been a regular under Dean Smith this season. He has amassed only 49 minutes of Premier League football and hasn’t started a top-flight game since July.
Some Villa fans have been very critical of the Dutch international, but his teammates clearly still support him and won’t stand for the abuse – which should hopefully cease once and for all after his heroics on Saturday.
In other news, Kevin Phillips has sounded a warning note about one Aston Villa youngster’s development.
