Aston Villa star Jack Grealish not to be sold on the cheap – Steve Bruce

Villa have been strengthened by a 'significant investment' – thought to be between £30million and £35million – from billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

And while the club still have a long way to go to keep in line with Financial Fair Play, they are no longer desperate to sell their best players at a cut price – Tottenham Hotspur target Grealish and defender James Chester, who has been attracting the attention of Stoke City.

"I know for a fact from the owners – new investors – anybody wanting to buy Jack Grealish will not buy him on the cheap," said a defiant Bruce.

"It's only what somebody else is prepared to pay – what he's worth. Until I have the conversation I can't really answer the question. What is he worth? Who knows?

"(But) if we have to sell them then at least we get the right price for them and can move forward.

"When you're up against it and hanging your dirty washing out in public then the vultures are circling and ready to nick your assets.

"At least that's not going to be the case – well I know that's not going to be the case – because I've had that conversation already.

"So if anybody is going to buy one of our players now they are going to have to pay a premium."

Meanwhile, Bruce says he spat his coffee out over reports Thierry Henry could replace him as Villa chief.

Arsenal legend Henry recently quit his role at Sky Sports to 'fulfil my long-term ambition to become a football manager'.

The 40-year-old had been working as assistant to Roberto Martinez with the Belgium national team, helping them finish third at this summer's World Cup.

"I blurted my coffee out when I read about it, my phone was going crazy," said Bruce.

“I made myself clear two weeks ago when I said, ‘Look, whatever the state the club is in I think it needs me’.

"The new owners might want to have their own man in. All the indications are that that’s not the case but until I get in front of them we won’t know.

"The new broom always sweeps clean. I hope I’m given the opportunity.”