Dean Smith tells Jack Grealish to grab goals for Aston Villa
New Villa boss Dean Smith has challenged playmaker Jack Grealish to get more goals as he looks to make the most of an ‘outstanding talent’.
Grealish put in one of his best performances of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Swansea – but remains some way short of the form he displayed last season.
The 23-year-old was substituted with 10 minutes remaining against the Swans but earned praise from the new head coach afterwards.
Smith said: “Jack is an outstanding talent and he was probably rubbing his hands when he saw me coming, thinking this is a guy who wants his teams to play. And then all the work this week has been without the ball.
“He has probably seen a different side to me but that is part of his game he needs to do a little bit better. But I also liked the way he was trying to get in the penalty box more, which is an area I think he can improve on.
“He has not got the goals and assists that somebody of his talent should. That’s for me to work on with him as well as the coaching staff.
“I invite the players to ask questions and Jack has been asking questions. He has got that desire to get better.”
Elsewhere, recalled left-back Neil Taylor believes Villa can push up the league to challenge for the promotion places.
“No-one is really running away with it at the moment, which leaves it a little bit wide open,” said the Welshman.
“You could see last time that Wolves, from the onset, were the pace-setters and ran away with it a little bit. I feel like we haven’t had our spell yet. But we are in the mix.”
