Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed an investigation into recent reports about Jack Grealish is on-going while he also issued a warning to the youngster.
It was reported earlier this week that the 21-year-old was allegedly involved in a late-night party in a Birmingham hotel just hours after his side’s draw with Ipswich Town last weekend.
After fellow guests reportedly complained about the party and with claims that laughing gas was used albeit with no suggestion that Grealish joined in, as noted by The Guardian, it has led to further scrutiny of the talented youngster who has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons on previous occasions.
Di Matteo wouldn’t confirm anything at his press conference on Thursday, but did insist that an investigation is currently underway and disciplinary action will wait until the club have found out all the details.
“[The investigation is] still ongoing, I cannot confirm or deny if he will be available. It’s a timing issue and we want to get it right. In general for the sake of any player they need to learn about what it takes to be an athlete. He needs to grow up very quickly.
“It’s not the first time and he needs to understand if he wants a good career he has to stop.”
Di Matteo went on to add that his first feeling about the situation is ‘one of disappointment’, but again, he wanted to stress that the club want to have all the facts at their disposal first before deciding if any action is needed.
Grealish has made a positive start to the campaign with his new manager making him an important part of his plans to get the club out of the Championship, but this latest distraction is not what anyone at the club wants.
With two goals in eight appearances and a new contract until 2020, things seemed to be going in the right direction for the youngster, but again he may well have let himself down.
Former Villa striker Stan Collymore took to Twitter to share some advice with Grealish on Wednesday, having this to say about what decisions he should make to benefit his own future.