Dean Smith delighted with Aston Villa 'all-round' performance

Goals from Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane and Tyrone Mings saw Villa open a Premier League season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 1999.

Smith watched on with delight as his team also kept a first clean sheet away from home since returning to the top flight last year.

He said: “It’s really pleasing. It was a good all-round performance. We seem to have the balance just right at the moment.

“Before lockdown we were guilty of being Gung-ho trying to win games. After lockdown we defended deeper and in numbers.

“We are showing good desire going forward but there is a will from everyone to keep the ball out of the back of the net at the moment.

“All we can do is try and win the next game. We are not building too many expectations. We weren’t satisfied with finishing 17th last season and we want to be better.

“We need to keep working hard and putting in performances like this one.”

Grealish, who scored the opener inside four minutes and played a major role in Hourihane’s strike soon after, was particularly impressive.

England assistant boss Steve Holland was in the stands to cast his eye over the Villa skipper ahead of Gareth Southgate’s squad announcement later this week.

Smith said: “That will be Gareth’s decision but I don’t think Jack could have done any more.

“It was a terrific performance, particularly in the first-half. It is not just the goal and his work for the second goal but defensively as well.

“His reaction to get behind the ball was excellent. It is something he has added to his game.”

Villa, who next host Stoke City in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Thursday, are expected to be active in the transfer market before next week’s deadline.

Asked about his club’s interest in Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Smith replied: “We will be talking to a lot of football clubs about players all the time because it's something we have to monitor because we want to improve our squad.”