Dean Smith tells Ollie Watkins to celebrate England call-up by helping Aston Villa down Spurs

Villa host Spurs with boss Smith ready to give Jack Grealish as much time as possible to declare his fitness, with the skipper now pain free following a shin injury.

Grealish’s absence over the past month meant he missed out on selection for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

But Watkins was included for the first time, having scored 10 goals in his first Premier League campaign after becoming Villa’s record £28million signing.

Smith believes the experience of training with the England squad will help improve the 25-year-old’s game but first wants him to focus on Tottenham, as Villa aim for a victory to boost their hopes of European football.

Watkins will also be aiming to snap a six-match goal drought and Smith said: “Ollie was thrilled with the call-up but he knows he has Tottenham first.

“Hopefully it has given him a lift and he can go into the Tottenham game and show everyone the reason he has been called up by performing well against them first. Then he will get into the England set-up and show everyone in training what he is all about. Hopefully he gets some minutes for England and fulfils a lifelong ambition.”

Grealish’s involvement against Tottenham remains in doubt but Smith is confident the captain will, at worst, be back for the visit of Fulham after the international break.

Smith said: “I’m hopeful for Jack. He’s not trained with us yet, but he’s pain-free and he’s running. Ultimately it will be his decision.

“If he doesn’t play (against Spurs) then I can pretty much guarantee he will be ready for the Fulham game after the international break.

“I know Aston Villa fans will be fretting over whether it’s a long-term injury, but it’s not. It’s always been one where we have been guided by Jack who has been suffering the pain. I’m hopeful but we will leave it as late as possible.”