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Jermaine Jenas has given a glowing verdict on the quality of Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, who he’s described as one of the most “underrated” players across the entire Premier League.

Luiz has been an integral part of a Villa side this season that are surprising so many and are currently sat fifth in the league standings.

The £15million (BBC) enforcer is an all-action defensive midfielder that helps break up play in front of the Villa back four, while in possession he’s a silky player that retains the ball well and has a wide range of passing.

Aged 22, the Brazilian should have so much more room still left to develop and he’s a huge prospect.

Pundit Jenas singled out Luiz when asked to pick players to watch out for in 2021 and admitted he’s already a huge fan of his.

“Douglas Luis in that midfield area is one of the most underrated players, I think, in the league,” Jenas told Match of the Day.

“He’s a top, top footballer. Top, top central midfield player. I think himself and [John] McGinn really formed a partnership in that midfield.”

TBR’s View:

Luiz is certainly one of the unsung heroes in a Villa side that are now receiving plenty of attention, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez understandably under the spotlight at present.

But Luiz is a driving force in the centre of the park that allows others to flourish around him and the combination alongside box-to-box midfielder John McGinn is excellent.

Dean Smith’s side are being talked about as possible European contenders this season after their eye-catching start in the opening few months of the season and they are certainly full of some quality players that continue to improve.