Villa boss Smith praises Grealish for winging it

ASTON Villa skipper Jack Grealish has been hailed by boss Dean Smith for his maturity in dealing with his positional puzzle.

Smith is currently persevering with Grealish on Villa’s left wing, even though by the player’s own admission he prefers the “No 8” role which allows him to cover the width of the pitch.

Smith’s stance has effectively led to the 24-year-old being overlooked by England manager

Gareth Southgate this season. In naming his squad last time out for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Montenegro and Kosovo, Southgate opted not to call on Grealish due to him being “up against” Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jadon Sancho “in the wide areas”.

Grealish would have missed those games anyway with a calf injury, but on his return against Newcastle in a 2-0 win at Villa Park on Monday night, he showed why many believe he should now be part of Southgate’s squad.

With his trickery and work ethic, Grealish won free-kicks that led to both goals, ending Villa’s three-match losing streak in the Premier League.

Asked after the game as to his best position, Grealish replied: “I don’t think he’ll like me saying this but I prefer playing as a No 8. I’ll play wherever the manager wants.”

It is that attitude that so impresses Smith, who said: “He can play a number of positions.

“He can play as part of a two in midfield, play as a 10, play as an eight when we play a one and two (an attacking midfielder behind two strikers), he can play left, he can play right.

“I just feel at the moment, for the balance of the team, it (left wing) is a really good position for him.”

Dundee manager James McPake.