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Steve Bruce says Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish has a big summer ahead of him

New Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce during the press conference (Reuters)
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The Aston Villa player too often flatters to deceive but he still has time on his side.

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish scores their first goal

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has been speaking to the club’s official Twitter account after Jack Grealish scored a late equaliser against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend.

The player’s dramatic goal not only gave Villa a share of the points; it also robbed the Seagulls of the Championship title, with Newcastle United lifting the trophy as a result.

Grealish is a hit-and-miss performer at Villa Park, despite his innate talent, and Bruce has admitted that he faces a big few months ahead of the club’s renewed title push.

“We know Jack Grealish can do that,” Bruce said. “We have to see the whole package from him. He’s got a big summer ahead.”

The 21-year-old has featured 78 times for Villa to date, scoring six goals and providing nine assists in the process.

That is nowhere near the return required of a player who has been touted as the next big thing at Villa Park, and it is time Grealish knuckled down and focused on his football.

Aston Villa’s manager Steve Bruce

If he does that, he could play a vital role for the club next season and beyond, but for now goals like the one he scored on Sunday are few and far between.

How he returns to pre-season training could tell Bruce all he needs to do about what version of Grealish Villa will get in 2018.

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish