Returning Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish already has one eye on Second City Derby

The 23-year-old was poised to see his first action for nearly three months in today’s Championship clash with Derby County at Villa Park.

Grealish has been sidelined with a bone stress injury and Smith is prepared to gradually ease him back into the team.

But the boss admitted the lifelong Villa fan has already made clear his desire to play in next Sunday’s showdown at Blues.

Grealish has never played in a Second City Derby at St Andrews, having missed out through suspension and injury in the past two seasons.

Smith said: “Jack has mentioned that to me. I think that is another reason for him wanting to get out as quick as possible.

“He is looking forward, first and foremost, to getting some minutes against Derby. We can concentrate on Blues after that.”

Smith believes the return of “infectious” Grealish will provide a boost to Villa as they look to resurrect their play-off challenge.

But he has warned the rest of his team it will require everyone’s efforts to turn their fortunes around.

He explained: “The Jack effect, as everyone is calling it, will give us a boost. We all know how infectious he is and how good a player he is.

“But this has always been a team game and always will be. The players will be pleased to see Jack back as much as the supporters but we all know he has got to be given time to get back into it as well. It can’t all be about him.”

Grealish returned to first-team training earlier this week and Smith said: “I just said to Jack: ‘Listen, you are available for selection.’

“He immediately asked whether he was starting? It was his first question and I knew it was going to be.

“Then he asked me where he would play in a 4-4-2. That’s normal Jack. I like people who are infectious.

“Sometimes he doesn’t have a filter and he will just tell me what he is thinking. I like that because I can deal with that. He is a nice lad and works really hard. He is infectious around the place.”