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England manager Gareth Southgate has given a glowing verdict on Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, who he insists is improving massively with the defensive side of his game on top of his goal output.

The attacking midfielder has started the season on fire, scoring five goals and supplying five assists in just eight games across all competitions.

His stunning individual form has helped him earn a spot in the national team squad for the current international break and he’s been a talisman in Villa’s strong start to the campaign, where they are just three points off the top of the Premier League table.

Southgate has been full of praise for the 25-year-old attacker and feels his work off the ball is just as impressive as on it.

The left-winger has been instrumental going forward for Villa this campaign, but at the same time is a team player in Dean Smith’s side and willing to do the hard yards.

“He’s playing extremely well. I talked a lot to Jack about end product. Last 22 games of last season he was one goal,” Southgate said in his Wednesday press conference, as quoted by England’s official Youtube account.

“He’s four goals in seven premier league games, five in all competitions this year. His assists are high. We know his all-round game has always been good. To his those numbers when you’re an attacking player is really important.

“His work without the ball is really improving as well. His pressing, his discipline, his defending. I couldn’t be happier with what he’s doing.“

TBR’s View:

England supporters as a whole are desperate to see Grealish get a real chance to represent the Three Lions and it looks like he may get that opportunity with Southgate’s side playing three games in the space of a week.

His form at the beginning of the campaign has earned him the right to be pushing for an England start and he’s now got to seize it with both hands.

The skilful attacker has forced Southgate into using him and many feel he could give the national team the edge they’ve been lacking.