Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish in hospital after suffering injury against Watford in pre-season friendly
21-year-old was withdrawn from the match and will be monitored for 24 hours after damaging his hip and ribs
JACK GREALISH has been taken to hospital after being kneed in the ribs during Aston Villa's goalless draw against Watford in pre-season.
The 21-year-old will be monitored over the next 24 hours after injuring his hip and ribs.
Grealish went down in a heap and received medical attention before being taken off in the 25th minute for Leandro Bacuna.
Grealish's injury will come as a big blow to Steve Bruce as Villa's Championship campaign kicks off against Hull on Saturday, 5 August.
Last season the attacking midfielder scored five goals and provided two assists for Villa in 33 appearances.
Before his injury Grealish was impressive against the Hornets and was linking up well with Gabby Agbonlahor.
Villa's experienced signings John Terry and Glenn Whelan were equally impressive, with the latter showing in particular why Bruce was determined to sign him from Stoke.
The pre-season clash between Watford and Aston Villa was arranged as a tribute game for the late Graham Taylor.
Henri Lansbury had the chance to score a winner for the Villains a victory but he failed to score his second-half penalty.
Watford's new head coach Marco Silva focused on the attitude of his players as he prepares his squad for their Premier League opener against Liverpool.
He said: "What’s most important to me is our commitment. Today, I saw good commitment between everybody and our attitude and discipline on the pitch.
"Of course, we need to play better and improve. We need to improve in our offensive organisation, we need to play quickly. We played too slow in some parts of the game. But the first thing for us is clear - our commitment, attitude and discipline.
"After that, you need to put more quality in the team. Some players are too slow with the ball but that’s the next step. First we need to put good organisation in our team, defensive organisation, and then the other three aspects."
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