[ad_pod ]

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has stated in his latest Daily Mail column that Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish is the “best player outside the Premier League”, and Villa fans should be fearful after the comments.

What’s the word, then?

Well, after a three-month injury absence the 23-year-old returned to the starting XI and captained the Midlands outfit in their 4-0 win against Derby County at Villa Park on Saturday.

The ex-England U21 international shone in the victory against Frank Lampard’s visitors, and rounded off his fine performance with a stunning first-time volley after a corner was sent to the edge of the penalty area for him.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Redknapp said: “There have been some brilliant volleys this season but the best two have both come at Villa Park. If you enjoyed John McGinn’s strike against Sheffield Wednesday in September, you will love Jack Grealish’s volley following a corner against Derby on Saturday.

“Had Grealish been fit for the whole season, I am in no doubt Villa would be in the play-offs. He is the best player outside the Premier League.”

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

Is Redknapp right?

He certainly is.

While there are plenty of contenders in the Championship, Grealish clearly has the quality to suggest he could make it for a club fighting in the top-half of the Premier League.

Displays like his one at the weekend will only catch the eye of top-flight scouts looking to make summer additions to their clubs, even if the talented midfielder did only sign a new five-year deal back in September, which reportedly includes a £45m buy-out clause.

However, if Villa miss out on promotion this season – they currently lie six points adrift of the play-off positions – it seems unlikely that he would want to stay, and fans should be seriously worried about losing their prized asset if they don’t go up.