Hero & Villan

One of the most exciting youngsters to appear in English football this season; has been Aston Villa star Jack Grealish. Heck I think he's the most exciting thing to come out from England since Paul Gascoigne; and that's saying a lot.

I remember the hype that first started on Grealish; several years back. He was touted as this exciting young midfielder that would revolutionise Aston Vila. I remember tuning in to see what the hype was about; and frankly came away quite disappointed. I saw a young skinny winger; trying to impress; trying to do tricks; but there was no end-result. No intelligence in his game. He didn't know when to run; when to pass; what to do at the right time. I thought oh here's another 'great prospect' that doesn't seem disciplined enough to fit the bill.

Then last season; when I was watching the Championship play-offs (one of the greatest shows on Earth I might add); something happened. I saw an absolute difference in Jack Grealish. Here was the Aston Villa captain; full of confidence; full of swagger; the person which the whole club depended upon; the superstar that is now influencing games right; left and centre. I thot to myself; hold on; this is the player coming to fruition. This is for real.

I 'secretly' supported Aston Villa as they managed to dramatically win in the playoffs and enter the holy grail of the Premier League; and I told myself: finally, a team that is surely too good to go down in their first season back (I might be wrong on that one).

But what I wasn't wrong is that Grealish has carried on his form into the Premier League this season. The way he dribbles is so skillful and intelligent; it is so hard to get the ball off him unless you foul him; and that's why he is probably the most fouled player in the division. Operating on his favoured role at wide-left in attacking midfield; he is able to cut inside to his favoured right-foot and deliver stupendous results; as witnessed in that symbolic cock-screwer at Old Trafford against Manchester United; in case the world hadn't noticed.

What's better; he is given a 'roving' role which suits him to a Tee; turning up all over the pitch which makes him even more elusive and harder to guard for the opposition's defence. He has practically been a joy to watch all season; and has been providing killer goals and passes to boost his team's output.

Surely Euro 2020 (and Gareth Southgate) will not be too far away.