MICHAEL OWEN told Aston Villa fans to “hang your heads in shame” after booing former star Jack Grealish.
The England star was on the receiving end of a 2-1 defeat as he returned to Villa Park with Manchester City on Saturday.
Grealish used to be a cult hero at Villa after joining them as a six-year old.
He clocked up 213 games for the Midlands club and played a key role in their Premier League return five years ago.
But it seemed home supporters were yet to forgive Grealish for his £100million switch to City in 2021.
The midfielder was routinely booed and jeered every time he touched the ball on Saturday.
Grealish was also involved in several fiery encounters with Villa stars like Matty Cash and Emi Martinez.
And at the end of the game, he flashed three fingers towards irate fans in a jibe over his three Premier League titles at the Etihad.
Now, ex-Liverpool and Man United star Owen has come to Grealish’s defence.
He believes Villa fans should be ashamed of their behaviour towards their former hero.
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And Owen admits his “blood boiled” hearing the endless taunts and jibes towards a player who arguably made Villa what they are today.
He wrote on social media: “I often hear or see things in football that makes my blood boil. Most people will probably feel the same at some point or other.
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“I guess that’s quite natural when you care passionately about something, or in my case, when it’s something that has consumed your entire life.
“There will always be kind, honest, generous, respectful, caring people in all walks of life just as there will always be nasty, jealous, spiteful, bitter people too.
“Your job or where you’re from doesn’t necessarily make you fall into a certain category. But to those Villa fans who booed Jack Grealish yesterday, you fall into the second category and should hang your heads in shame.”
Owen continued: “Here is a lad that came through YOUR academy. Supported The Villa all his life and no doubt still does.
“He single-handedly dragged YOUR team back into the Premier League when you were bang average at best.
“He kept you up and in hindsight, showed you ten times more loyalty than you are now showing him. He was hardly ever injured and delivered Man Of The Match performances on a regular basis.
“He cost you nothing, gave you incredible service and made YOUR club over £100m when he left.
“In Jack’s case he is and always will be very proud of where he comes from and so it must be heartbreaking for him to have to endure the mindless and pathetic booing that he had to listen to yesterday.”
