Jack Grealish has been told he should consider a return to boyhood club Aston Villa a week after his club Manchester City were defeated 2-1 at Villa Park.

Grealish has been in and out of the City team since joining for a fee of £100 million, making him the most expensive English footballer of all time, and has struggled to make an impact this season in a floundering Citizens side.

After a tough first season in Manchester, the 29-year-old established himself as a key cog in the City machine which won the treble in 2023, but since fell back out of favour last campaign. He has managed just one assist this season and failed to score across the calendar year. Moreover, he became the subject of controversy in the recent Villa victory over the Sky Blues, responding to boos from the crowd by holding up three fingers to signify the amount of Premier League titles he has won in the northwest.

READ MORE: Aston Villa ‘exploring terms’ over exciting £25million winger transfer

READ MORE: List of the 82 Premier League players free to talk to clubs from January 1

City are in need of a rebuild after their significant struggles this season and with that should come departures for some of their older assets. At 29, Grealish could be considered one of those and, due as well to his poor form, has been linked to a move away from the Etihad.

Former Villa player Lee Hendrie, who knows Grealish well, has urged the England international to leave City in favour of a return to Villa Park.

"It’s at the stage now where Jack should probably be thinking about leaving the football club," Hendrie, who played 303 times in claret and blue, said to 10bet.

"Nobody could deny that the move hasn’t been successful, he’s won everything there is to win during his time there, but I think for himself, he needs to find his enjoyment in playing again.

"He’d be an asset for any top football club. I would love him at Villa, but would they have the finances to bring him back? It would probably be a complicated deal to complete.

"I know the Villa fans have given him some stick, but I think they would love to see him back at Villa Park. He wouldn’t be coming for a pay day; he’d be coming to win something with Villa and help take the club up a level.

"It would be brilliant if he came back. I do feel he has to go and leave Man City at the moment to find some enjoyment in his game."

Judging by the expressiveness of Morgan Rogers' play in a Villa shirt, Grealish in an Unai Emery system would be allowed a lot of attacking freedom in a free-flowing forward line. A move back home could bring the best out of the former Villan once again.

"I’d love to see Jack Grealish back at Aston Villa. Grealish is Villa through and through," Hendrie continued.

"I remember speaking to him when he signed for City, I was commentating on one of their games, and we had an in-depth chat, and he was saying he’s finding it difficult to adapt to new surroundings... I said to him, get on with it and go on and enjoy your football. It’s your time to go on and win trophies, and that is exactly what he’s done.

"He’s such a fantastic person; he’s got a massive heart. I don’t think that we’ve seen the best version of Grealish at City or the version that steps out onto the grass and enjoys himself.

"When I watch Jack play for England, it’s like he’s a different person. He plays with a lot more freedom.

"If you’re looking at his contributions, goals and assists, then you can say that it’s been disappointing for him, but we know he’s got stacks of ability, and we know he can contribute a lot more."

READ MORE: Louie Barry makes Birmingham City wish clear after Aston Villa’s unique transfer decision

Should Grealish return to Villa? Tell us here