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2013 was a breakthrough year in the life of Jack Grealish. As an 18-year-old, he won the NextGen series with Aston Villa’s U19s, before sealing the first professional loan deal of his career.
It was Notts County who took a chance on the youngster, and he turned out to be magnificent for large parts of their League One campaign.
Grealish’s spell there was an early indication of the potential he’s now showing in the Championship and although he’s matured as a player, his style remains very much the same.
But how did his time at Meadow Lane prepare him for Villa stardom?
On the chalkboard
The now 23-year-old arrived at County in 2013/14 as an unknown prodigy. However, he’d leave with his reputation significantly enhanced.
Grealish signed on loan just days after turning 18 and made his senior debut from the right flank in the same month. His first start would see him claim an assist, and then two matches later he found himself setting up another goal for his teammates.
His position changed regularly at County, initially starting on the right before starring from the central role he’s now so familiar with at Villa. It was playing behind the striker that he scored his first senior goal, a strike which gave a massive indication of the player he was to become.
Grealish feinted past two players before burying an opportunity. It was phenomenal composure from a young player destined to achieve big things.
That goal granted him the freedom to play in the number ten position regularly over the New Year period, adding further goals against Shrewsbury and Bradford from that area of the pitch.
In March he was moved out to the left wing, where he often played for Villa’s youth side. Although his effect on the team was limited throughout the final part of the campaign, he still showed incredibly promising signs.
Playing in a variety of positions, the creative midfielder finished the season with five goals and seven assists from 37 league matches.
The loan system sometimes has a habit of halting a player’s career. This certainly wasn’t the case with Grealish.