Jack Grealish Accused of Betraying Boyhood Club After Apparent Dive vs Aston Villa

• Manchester City won their first game after the FFP charges by beating Aston Villa
• City scored all three goals in the first half but one raised the opposition's eyebrows
• Villa's former player Jack Grealish appeared to dive and has left some fans furious

Manchester City put behind them all the issues during the week around their 115 FFP breach charges, to focus on football on the pitch.

They beat a resurgent Aston Villa 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium to close the gap on Arsenal to three points.

Former Villa player, Jack Grealish, who moved to City two years ago for a then British record fee of £100-million, was trusted by Pep Guardiola to start on the left side of the attack but his highlight of the game does not delight the Villans.

Grealish is a West Midlands boy who joined the Aston Villa academy at the age of six, making over 200 senior appearances and captaining the club before he switched to Manchester, as reported by BBC Sports.

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Grealish slammed for 'diving'

Grealish had a penalty rescinded by VAR in the 21st minute of the encounter.

In the added minutes of the first half however, he appeared to dive when challenged by Jacob Ramsey and a penalty was given, as reported by Daily Star.

Riyad Mahrez converted the spot kick after some drama involving Rodri, Erling Haaland and the Algerian winger.

Villa fans took to social media and slated their former player.

@RachyAVFC wrote:

"Jack Grealish diving against his boyhood club for a penalty. Couldn’t write it. [Expletive] off Jack. That dive alone wins 100 mil."

@avfcdave1990 wrote:

"I have backed Grealish since his move but today he has infuriated me. How you running round celebrating and then dive to win a penalty against your so called boyhood team. [Expletive] #AVFC"

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@simonlines wrote:

"Crazy how people defend Grealish’s dive by comparing it to Young years back. Young was wrong for doing it, it’s everything that’s wrong with football but from the player that declared ‘my club my home’, well that just cuts that bit deeper. Joke decision from the officials."

@_ksj1874 wrote:

"I don’t know why a single person is surprised Grealish would dive against us. Begged to move to Spurs, twerked for Man Utd but didn’t get it, went to Man City just as we looked half decent. He was never the boy we all thought he was, sorry to break it to you those that [expletive] him"

City fans protest against EPL

Sports Brief also reported on City fans protesting against the EPL, after their club was hit with charges relating to alleged breaches of financial fair play.

Ahead of kick-off, fans booed the league anthem during pre-game formalities and also displayed a poster of lawyer, David Pannick, who is defending the club.

The Citizens travel to Arsenal on Wednesday, with a three-point gap between the two setting up what is sure to be a fiery clash for the league title.