• The threadbare boots of Jack Grealish. Getty Images
    The threadbare boots of Jack Grealish. Getty Images
  • Jack Grealish's boots after the game. Action Images via Reuters
    Jack Grealish's boots after the game. Action Images via Reuters
  • Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and manager Dean Smith pose with the trophy as they celebrate after winning the playoffs. Action Images via Reuters
    Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and manager Dean Smith pose with the trophy as they celebrate after winning the playoffs. Action Images via Reuters
  • Jack Grealish's boots after the game. Action Images via Reuters
    Jack Grealish's boots after the game. Action Images via Reuters
  • Aston Villa's Jack Grealish celebrates after winning the Sky Bet Championship Play-off final at Wembley Stadium. PA
    Aston Villa's Jack Grealish celebrates after winning the Sky Bet Championship Play-off final at Wembley Stadium. PA
  • Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and teammates lift trophy as they celebrate winning the playoffs. Reuters
    Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and teammates lift trophy as they celebrate winning the playoffs. Reuters
  • Jack Grealish celebrates with the trophy after winning the Sky Bet Championship Play-off final at Wembley Stadium. PA
    Jack Grealish celebrates with the trophy after winning the Sky Bet Championship Play-off final at Wembley Stadium. PA

Will Jack Grealish wear his battered boots in the Premier League?


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

A Wembley final is usually an occasion to dress your best - but someone appeared to have forgotten to tell Aston Villa's Jack Grealish.

The Villa captain was an inspirational figure behind the club's return to the Premier League after they beat Derby County 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Monday.

But fans were shocked to see the state of Grealish's battered boots after the final whistle was blown.

Rather than sporting an immaculate, new pair for the big day, the 23-year-old's Nikes looked like they had been put through a cheese grater.

Not that it affected Grealish's performance, and he later revealed the reason for his questionable footwear.

"Well I came back from injury and they were brand new, and then I got a few goals, a few assists," he said in an interview with Sky Sports on the Wembley pitch immediately after the match.

"I thought these were my lucky boots so I've had to keep them."

Now it remains to be seen whether Grealish will turn out in the same boots when the Premier League kicks off in August.

That wasn't the end of a dramatic day for the boyhood villa fan.

He ended up with a cut to his head when he lifted the trophy with teammate James Chester and it sliced through his skin.

Jack Grealish with the cut above his eye. BPI/REX/Shutterstock
Jack Grealish with the cut above his eye. BPI/REX/Shutterstock

He said: "He was an unbelievable feeling lifting that trophy until Chessie (James Chester) pushed it my way and slit my eyebrow open and I just had to get it glued."

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Prince William celebrates with John Carew as Villa win

  • Prince William cannot hide his delight as Aston Villa defeated Derby County at Wembley Stadium. AP Photo
    Prince William cannot hide his delight as Aston Villa defeated Derby County at Wembley Stadium. AP Photo
  • Prince William punches the air in delight as he celebrates with former Villa striker John Carew. PA Photo
    Prince William punches the air in delight as he celebrates with former Villa striker John Carew. PA Photo
  • There was a lot for Prince William and Villa fans to be happy about. Action Images via Reuters
    There was a lot for Prince William and Villa fans to be happy about. Action Images via Reuters
  • Prince William celebrates Aston Villa's first goal with Villa fans. Reuters
    Prince William celebrates Aston Villa's first goal with Villa fans. Reuters
  • The match made for tense viewing at times for the British royal. AP Photo
    The match made for tense viewing at times for the British royal. AP Photo
  • Prince William, second left, and Carew celebrate Villa's first goal. AP Photo
    Prince William, second left, and Carew celebrate Villa's first goal. AP Photo
  • Prince William punches the air. Action Images via Reuters
    Prince William punches the air. Action Images via Reuters
  • It was a day of celebration for Prince William and Villa as they now look forward to Premier League football in August again. PA Photo
    It was a day of celebration for Prince William and Villa as they now look forward to Premier League football in August again. PA Photo