Many West Ham fans met the latest comments of ex-Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor with bemusement and irritation after the former Premier League striker questioned the level of ‘protection’ afforded to Villa’s Jack Grealish by match officials.
In the wake of the Hammers’ controversial 2-1 victory over Dean Smith’s side on Monday night, Agbonlahor claimed the Villa talisman is at serious risk of long-term injury and singled out West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal for criticism.
“Referees have got to give him a lot more protection”, said Agbonlahor in comments given to Football Insider.
“The right-back Coufal got away with too many free ones. If the referees book players for fouls more easily, they’ll stop doing it.
“Jack always seems to get fouled, he needs more protection because some of those fouls are going to injure him one day and Villa cannot afford to be without him.”
Grealish, who netted a deflected effort against David Moyes’ side, has scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in the Premier League since the beginning of last season.
As noted by Football Insider, Grealish was fouled a staggering 167 times in the 2019-20 campaign – more than anybody else in the division and a new Premier League seasonal record.
These West Ham fans responded in a myriad of ways to Agbonlahor’s criticism…
Twitter: @WHUFC_News When I read this, I’m reaching for the Gaviscon. (@RichardLynn5)
Twitter: @WHUFC_News Yeah the fouls were so vicious it even had a knock on effect on his knee that wasn’t touched (@StewsMerchTable)
Twitter: @WHUFC_News What a load of rubbish he is saying book him more often and he might stop (@twofoot23)
Twitter: @WHUFC_News Tell him to stop diving then (@GPerry13)
Twitter: @WHUFC_News Blinkered in his Villa tinted specs! (@bubblemaster3)
Twitter: RT @stephen17921223: @WHUFC_News Aston Villa training session https://t.co/TXm4kWSZM0 (@GoldbergRadio)
