Jack Grealish: from zero to hero to 'hall of shame' in five days

It's a story that perfectly encapsulates the crazy world of the modern footballer. In the space of five days Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish has gone from zero to hero to political football to failed role-model.

The 19-year-old midfielder made only his fifth start for Villa against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday, but he had an outstanding game and was named man of the match by many observers.

Since then the plaudits have flooded in, but his honeymoon period in the public eye came to an abrupt today when he was inducted into the "hippy crack hall of shame" by The Sun, which accused him of inhaling laughing gas.

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Here's how his up-and-down week has panned out:

Sunday:

An impressive showing for Villa as they beat Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final catches the eye. "A star was born at Wembley, with the teenager producing a remarkable performance," says John Percy of the Daily Telegraph. "Skilful but shrewd with his decision making, Grealish is undoubtedly one to watch."

Monday:

Everyone is watching Grealish... and his father, Kevin. The Birmingham Mail gleefully reports how Grealish senior proudly wore his son's shirt around Solihull the day after the game. "I came downstairs this morning and Jack had left his top on the sofa so I decided to do the school run in it,” explained Kevin. "It's a bit smelly, but that’s the sweat of hard graft."

Tuesday:

Grealish is earmarked as the future of the England football team... but there is a problem, he has been playing for Ireland at youth and Under-21 levels. The Daily Mirror explains that Grealish "has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between Ireland and England for a number of years". Despite being born in Birmingham he has Irish ancestry and has so far chosen to represent the country of his grandparents. But that has not deterred the English. "FA officials have also been in touch with Birmingham-born Grealish and remain determined to prise him away from Ireland," reveals the Mirror.

But the Daily Mail seems keen to emphasise his Irish roots in a profile of the teenager. It explains how Grealish grew up playing Gaelic football (albeit in Warwickshire) and even once appeared at Croke Park in Dublin. It adds that he idolises Northern Irish superstar George Best, and wears his socks round his ankles as a result.

Meanwhile, website Fanatix invites fans to meet Grealish's "stunning model girlfriend" Sasha Attwood, and posts a gallery of photos of her.

Wednesday:

When Grealish talks he sounds like Ozzy Osborne, rages Martin Samuels in the Daily Mail. He is from Birmingham and so is his dad - so what is he doing playing for Ireland?

Suddenly the teenager is at the centre of the long-running philosophical and political debate about sport and nationality. "Is it right that a national association operates as clubs do, recruiting the best young players in what is increasingly a free market," asks Samuels. "How long before there are secret inducements, promises, before agents are involved?"

The Irish Independent is none too impressed with Samuels and describes his "rant" as an "insult" to the second-generation Irish in England. "Somebody better tell Raheem Sterling not to read Samuels's gibberish," it declares. "Did the same writer have anything to say when John Barnes or Owen Hargreaves playing for the Three Lions? We better hope he doesn’t have an opinion on the English rugby or cricket teams." The young footballer has become a political football.

Thursday:

Grealish may have been described as a "role-model" earlier in the week by former Aston Villa midfielder Paul Mortimer, but it seems he has the same weaknesses as many other young Premier League stars.

His stint as the toast of the nation comes to an abrupt end as he is inducted into the "hippy crack hall of shame" by The Sun, which publishes a picture of the teenager inhaling laughing gas.