Express & Star

Jack Grealish aiming to make an impact at Aston Villa

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Villa starlet Jack Grealish today targeted a first-team spot and insisted he has grown up.

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The winger wants to challenge at Villa Park after his loan spell at Notts County gave him a taste for first-team football.

Grealish made his Villa debut as a late substitute in the 4-0 defeat at Manchester City earlier this month after helping the Magpies beat the League One drop.

And the Brummie-born ace, who won the Shield with Villa in the Soccer Sevens in Hong Kong this week, wants to make a claret and blue impact next season.

"It's been a really useful season for me getting to play first-team football and it's made me hungrier for more," said Grealish, who was joint top scorer in Hong Kong.

"I had to grow up a lot at Notts County and playing in the League One relegation battle is much different to playing academy football.

"I've said all along that all I can do is to perform to my best and keep working hard to improve and hope that I do enough to impress the manager. Villa is my club, I've been brought up with Villa in my blood, so the aim is obviously to kick on and play as regularly as possible. "

"When you have joined Villa as a young kid and worked so hard to come through the academy then it all feels worthwhile to play for the first team.

"And when you get that feeling you just want it more and more. It's so exciting to be within touching distance, but we know the hard work has only just started.

"When I get back it's up to me to train well and prove that I deserve to be with the first team in the week and on matchdays."

The 18-year-old also wants to follow Callum Robinson's lead and make his home debut after being inspired by his team-mate's bow.

He said: "I'd got a Saturday off from Notts County so I was at the Southampton match watching from the stands when Callum came on for his Premier League debut against Southampton.

"It was such a great feeling watching one of my close mates get on at Villa Park and the reception he got from the fans made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck."