‘Very good’: Marcelo Bielsa thinks Aston Villa player has huge potential

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Leeds United coach Marcelo Bielsa was full of praise for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish before Friday’s Premier League clash, telling Leeds Live that the number ten can only go from strength to strength.

In truth, it is no surprise that one of the most influential tacticians is a fan of Villa’s homegrown hero.

Combining a relentless work ethic with that precious ability to produce something out of nothing with one flick of his wonderous right boot, Grealish would fit this free-flowing Leeds side like a tailored suit.

Unfortunately for Bielsa, however, he must find a way to stop the Premier League’s most in-form creator ahead of an intriguing clash at Villa Park in two days.

As Jurgen Klopp will tell you, with Aston Villa’s Grealish-inspired 7-2 thumping of Liverpool still fresh in the memory, that is easier said than done.

“He’s a very good player,” said Bielsa, who is expecting the 25-year-old to go from strength to strength after forcing his way into the international set-up.

“It’s normal for a player once he’s been called up to the English national team that he’s going to be confident and he’s going to grow.”

Leeds managed to keep Kevin de Bruyne quiet against Manchester City, while Daniel Podence failed to make his usual sparkling impression during Monday night’s battle with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

But it remains to be seen whether a Leeds side shorn of the injured Kalvin Phillips, their most effective midfield operator, can stop Grealish wreaking havoc on Friday.