Aston Villa fans made their feelings clear to former star Jack Grealish as Manchester City's £100million man entered the fray on his return to Villa Park.
First-half goals from Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva put the Blues into a seemingly assailable lead after a dominant opening 45 minutes on Wednesday, but the complexion of the match changed when Ollie Watkins volleyed home shortly after the restart.
The visitors were made to work for the win, and Grealish was brought on in the final minutes as the three points were secured.
Much was made of the 26-year-old's return ahead of the game, with Grealish himself even suggesting a future move back to Villa Park, and the mixed response of jeers and applause when he warmed up on the touchline came as no surprise.
As Grealish prepared for his introduction, chants of "Villa 'til I die" gradually increased around the ground before reaching fever pitch as their former idol came on, along with a smattering of applause.
Every touch of the ball thereafter was met with loud boos, but Grealish seemed unfazed come full-time as he applauded all four corners of Villa Park after the whistle.
City ultimately held on to hand Steven Gerrard his first defeat as a Premier League manager and keep the heat on Chelsea, who beat Watford, and Liverpool, who thumped Everton.
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