Dean Smith has claimed that Aston Villa are 18 months behind the level Jack Grealish should be aiming to play at at club level.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Villa manager said that the club are over a year and a half away from being at the level of quality that could retain Grealish.
The former Villa captain left his boyhood side this summer for Manchester City in a blockbuster transfer worth £100m according to BBC Sport.
And Smith admitted that the Midlands side are way off before being able to compete with the Premier League giants.
The Villa manager said: “We were probably 18 months behind where we needed to be in order to keep Jack.
“But Jack will show his worth on the highest stage of all in the Champions League, as he did during the Euros (for England) in the summer.”
Indeed, it is difficult to fully interpret what Smith meant by these comments on Villa. However, it is likely that the former Brentford manager meant that the club could compete for Europe.
Villa have made some exciting signings this window in the form of Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings. And on social media, some supporters believe that Smith’s optimism is believable.
If the new Villa trio can gel for the upcoming season, there is a good chance that Smith’s side can challenge for a European spot in the Premier League table.
Here’s what some Villa fans had to say about Smith and the club being 18 months away from competing in Europe on Twitter…
https://twitter.com/1874Lee/status/1425373414043406337
https://twitter.com/kayden24638385/status/1425391365135929347
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
