“Guardiola would love to work with Jack Grealish” according to Ex-Man City defender.

Former City defender Paul Lake has claimed Jack Grealish is the kind of talent Pep Guardiola would welcome at Manchester City.

Jack Grealish has been Villa’s star man in their first campaign back in the Premier League, a shining light in an otherwise underwhelming first half of the season. Dean Smith’s men now find themselves in the relegation zone after being resoundingly beaten 6-1 by a rampant City side.

Grealish’s performances have meant speculation surrounding his future has been hard to shake off, with many believing should Villa go down they will find it too difficult to keep hold of their 24-year-old skipper.

The Villa captain has cut a frustrated figure at times this season and that remained the case last night as his side were blown away by a City side that found themselves 4-0 up before the interval. Many of the top six sides have been linked with a move for Grealish and Dean Smith knows he has quite the battle on his hands to ensure his biggest talent’s head isn’t turned, both this month and in the summer.

Speaking to Love Sport on Andy Hodgson’s ‘Kicking Off’ show, Former Manchester City defender Paul Lake has claimed City boss Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly an admirer of the Villa skipper, as is every manager in the league, “I think he’s got the kind of ability that means he could fit into a City side potentially, certainly a player that Guardiola would like but he won’t be on his own in that regard- I’m sure every single manager in the Premier League would want him in their side.”

Though Villa have struggled against the bigger sides so far, Lake also praised Grealish’s performances against the ‘top-six’ sides this campaign. “I know Aston Villa haven’t had much success against the top six sides, but when he’s playing against better players - that’s when the top top players come to the fore and hopefully for Aston Villa’s sake we can keep him in that rich vein of form.”

For all of Grealish’s superb performances so far, he has remained unused by England boss Gareth Southgate, who has opted for other midfield alternatives over the Villa talisman. Though Lake believes Grealish is knocking on the door for his first international cap. “In terms of internationally, he’s certainly pressing for more and more opportunities and he’s a really exciting player to watch.”

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