Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish has revealed what West Ham star Vladimir Coufal said about him on the pitch just before he grabbed an assist for England against the Czech Republic.
The West Ham and Aston Villa men shared two fantastic and feisty battles last season. And Coufal had a big say in ensuring the Hammers came out on top by shackling Grealish as David Moyes’s side won both.
It says a lot about Grealish’s ability that Moyes played two right backs to try and contain him in West Ham’s impressive 3-1 victory at Villa Park earlier this year.
But Coufal was so immense he didn’t really need Ryan Fredericks if truth be told. He had Grealish in his pocket all by himself.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
Grealish and Coufal had epic tussle in West Ham vs Villa games
The Villa playmaker grew so frustrated he switched wings and even played centrally to get away from Coufal.
The West Ham and Villa rivalry between the pair elevated to international level when England faced Coufal’s Czech Republic this week.
There was an element of revenge for Grealish as he provided the assist for the only goal of the game.
Now speaking on the England YouTube channel, Villa’s main man – who has been linked with a £100m move to Man City – has praised Coufal.
Grealish praises Coufal reveals what he said about him on the pitch before England assist
But Grealish also revealed something the West Ham defender said on the pitch actually led to his assist.
“Do you know what happened? As I’ve received the ball back off H (Harry Kane), I’ve faced someone up and then Coufal was behind,” Grealish told the England YouTube channel.
“And I’ve played against Coufal a few times this season and he actually done well against me in the second game and as I first received the ball he’s said ‘right foot!’ to the guy.
‘I don’t know Czech language!’
“He’s obviously thought I’m going to come in on my right or try and shoot – which I probably would have – so as he’s said that I just thought ‘No I’m going to go down the line (on my left) and just stand it up to the back post and hopefully someone’s there.
“I don’t know Czech language!” Grealish laughed when asked whether the West Ham fullback shouted his instruction in his native tongue.
“He just said ‘Right foot, right foot’ so I just went down my left and stood it up.”