Jack beginning to show he’s Greal deal
STEVE Bruce has lavished praise on star-man Jack Grealish for his best performance yet after Villa battered Bristol City on New Year’s Day.
The 22-year-old was sensational at No.10 as he ripped the Robins apart to fire Villa up to fifth in the Championship following their 5-0 win.
Grealish missed the first three months of the season with a damaged kidney but is now starting to make up for lost time.
Bruce is excited about what the England Under-21 ace can produce in the second half of the campaign.
“I’m sure we would have been better with Jack Grealish fit for six months rather than not,’’ said the manager. “It’s the same with Kodjia and Terry and a few of them.
“Your big players are important and Jack is a big player.
“I said at the start of the season, ‘How do I get the best out of him and where do I play him?’ It was his best performance under me.”
Grealish came in for the injured Josh Onomah, who was sidelined with concussion, and Bruce reckons his hard graft in the gym is paying off.
“The injury he had earlier in the season scared him,” he added. “But all of a sudden he looks like a man. Let’s be fair, he’s only 22.
“Oli Stevenson, my strength and conditioning coach, has done a wonderful job with the club.
“He’s had Jack in the gym and has worked tirelessly with him for five or six months.’’