Dean Smith: Aston Villa will take 'softly softly' approach with Jack Grealish
Dean Smith admitted Villa will continue a “softly, softly” approach with Jack Grealish after the skipper made his long-awaited Premier League return.
Grealish, absent for three months with a shin injury, came off the bench in the 72nd minute of last night’s 0-0 draw with Everton.
Villa boss Smith hopes the 25-year-old will now play a part in the season’s final three matches but has already confirmed he won’t be ready to start at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He said: “We are really happy to have Jack back. It is small steps at the moment.
“He looks fresh. We need to go softly, softly with him but he just loves playing football. I promised the medical staff 15 minutes but managed to squeeze an extra five out of him.
“We have three games now in the next 10 days and we are hopeful Jack will be able to play a part in all three.
“Whether it is Tottenham or Chelsea we are hoping to get 90 minutes out of him. He is as fit as can be. He is a naturally fit player anyway.
“Certainly, when you see him in training you don’t see a lack of fitness in him, that is for sure.”
Villa, meanwhile, will today assess Matty Cash amid fears the full-back could miss the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury.
Cash was forced off just before half-time against the Toffees and Smith said: “I am not sure if it is recurrence of a previous injury. If it is then that is him out for the last three games.”
Emi Martinez kept his 15th clean sheet of the season to equal Brad Friedel’s Premier League Villa record in what was comfortably the biggest positive for the hosts.
“It was a game of few chances,” said Smith. “The game was probably lacking that bit of spark in the final third.”
