New details have emerged of what was said during a heated exchange between Emiliano Martínez and Jack Grealish during Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Villa added to the misery of City, who are in the midst of their worst run under Pep Guardiola, by inflicting a ninth defeat in 12 games on the champions.
Guardiola gave Grealish a first start at Villa Park since leaving his boyhood club in 2021 for £100million, in a bid to turn things around.
However, the winger suffered a nightmarish return to his old home, when Villa opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Jhon Durán.
As the game approached half-time, Grealish could be seen protesting the lack of stoppage time in the first half.
The former Villa star could then be seen locked in a heated argument with his former team-mate Martinez as they made their way down the tunnel after the half-time whistle at Villa Park.
Jack Grealish was involved in an intense exchange with Emiliano Martínez during Manchester City's clash against Aston Villa.
The former teammates were involved in a heated exchange after the half-time whistle.
A picture has now emerged of the pair exchanging a series of words, while separated by staff and team-mates.
Shouting towards Grealish, Martínez appears to say: 'You think you're a big boy, eh?'
Referee Peter Bankes subsequently cautioned the Argentine goalkeeper for his part in the incident.
The altercation proved to be the tip of the iceberg in what was a difficult afternoon for Grealish in his home city.
A chorus of boos rang out every time he had a touch and at the end of the half the winger reacted by raising three fingers to indicate the Premier League titles since his departure from the club.
Grealish joined Villa at the age of six and, barring a 2013-14 loan at Notts County, spent 19 years at the club he supports, helping them win promotion and reach the finals of both domestic cups in 213 appearances. before breaking the British transfer. record.
Michael Owen has since come to Grealish's defence, telling the section of Villa fans who booed him to “hang their heads in shame”.
The former Liverpool striker said he felt “bad to the bottom of my stomach” about the boos in an impassioned 711-word defense of the Englishman published in X on Sunday. It is a fate he endured after leaving Liverpool during his own playing career.
The Argentine goalkeeper was later reprimanded for his involvement in the incident.
Grealish was booed by fans who once cheered him every time he touched the ball at Villa Park.
The winger wanted to remind those who booed him of his achievements with Manchester City
Michael Owen told responsible Villa supporters section to 'hang their heads in shame'
“I often hear or see things in football that make my blood boil,” he wrote. 'Most people will probably feel the same way at some point. I guess that's pretty natural when you care passionately about something, or in my case, when it's something that has consumed your entire life.
'The current capitulation of reigning champions Manchester City is enough of a story to fill back pages and jam radio stations across the country. But there was another story at Villa Park yesterday that really left me with a sick feeling deep in my stomach.
Of course, I don't like to put a group of people in the same bag. I have lived a life where my peers and I have been stereotyped and it is quite annoying.
'There will always be kind, honest, generous, respectful and attentive people in all areas of life, just as there will always be unpleasant, jealous, resentful and bitter people. Your job or your place of origin do not necessarily make you fall into a certain category.
“But for those Villa fans who booed Jack Grealish yesterday, you fall into the second category and should hang your heads in shame.”
'Here is a boy who went through YOUR academy. He supported La Villa all his life and no doubt still does. He single-handedly dragged YOUR team back to the Premier League when you were average at best.
'He kept you awake and, in retrospect, showed you ten times more loyalty than you are showing him now. He was rarely injured and produced Man of the Match performances on a regular basis. “He cost you nothing, gave you an incredible service and made YOUR club over £100 million when he left.”
Owen continued his rant, going on to say that he felt inclined to defend Grealish because his “story is as perfect as it gets.”
Morgan Rogers finished off Manchester City in the second half by scoring Villa's second of the day.
Guardiola's poor run has extended to nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions.
Grealish has enjoyed great success since arriving in Manchester and was part of City's historic treble-winning team in 2023, but has struggled two seasons on.
The England international has failed to score in club colors in his last 45 games and was unable to help his team improve their lackluster form on Saturday.
Villa doubled their lead, after Grealish's altercation with Martínez, through Manchester City academy graduate Morgan Rogers in the second half.
Phil Foden raised hopes of a further comeback two minutes into added time, but Guardiola's team could not find an equaliser.