Dean Smith admits Aston Villa must keep matching ambition of their top players to become a Premier League force

Villa head to Arsenal on Sunday looking to bounce back aiming to cement their spot in the top half of the early season table.

Despite back-to-back defeats to Leeds and Southampton, Villa have looked much improved from the team which avoided relegation by a single point last season.

It follows a summer in which they made several big signings – including Gunners keeper Emiliano Martinez – and convinced captain Jack Grealish to sign a new contract.

But Smith acknowledges the club must progress at a rate which keeps the skipper and other key players content.

Discussing the importance of Grealish to Villa, Smith said: “Jack is representing the club he loves and leading the club he loves. But who knows what is going to happen in the future?

“Jack obviously will want to go on and be successful and win things. We have to make sure we are matching his demands.

“Our job now is to make sure we push on this season. We have had a good start and got to a cup final last season as well. We have to match the demands of our players to make sure they are growing and the club is growing.”

Both Smith and Grealish are in the running for awards after being nominated for the Premier League’s manager and player of the month prizes for October respectively.

It is the second straight month Smith, who lost out on the September prize to Everton’s Carlo Ancelotti, has been nominated.

Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley’s stoppage time winner at Leicester is on the shortlist for the goal of the month award.

Smith, meanwhile, has praised Grealish for the manner in which he has adapted his game to playing behind closed doors.

The 25-year-old, who was once again included in the latest England squad, has enjoyed his best-ever start to a season having hit four goals in his first six matches.

Smith said: “What I have always found with Jack is he finds a way. He will ask you questions but he has his own mind in how to find a way and is able to do that.

“He will be the first to tell you he wasn’t pleased with his first three or four games after Project Restart.

“Without having supporters there he missed it, the crowd. He lives for that adrenaline.

“But he has adapted his game very quickly. He has gotten used to playing without supporters. He has another driver now to make sure he has good performances.

“He is getting better and better. His tally now after six games, with four goals and four assists, is a better start than he has ever had in this league before.”