Former Aston Villa academy boss Bryan Jones has recalled bringing through Jack Grealish.
Jones ran Aston Villa's academy in three spells at the club dating back to the 1970s until retiring in 2014.
He told the Mirror: “Jack played years ahead of his age group before he hit the first team.
“He was an outstanding individual.
“He used to go past people and had this ability.
“I remember him for the U18s when he was an U16.
“I was standing next to Tottenham's then head of academy John McDermott.
“We actually beat Spurs 5-0 on the day and I remember John said: 'Jesus, where did you find him, the boy on the left, Grealish'?
“I said: 'he is just a local boy who has been with us since 9-10 years of age'.
“We were standing on the right hand touchline and Jack was playing wide left because he was two years younger than most kids.
“We played him out wide to protect him a little bit and he ghosted past people.
“John said to me: 'how did he do that?' After he cut in from the byline and whipped it back for goal No.3.
“I said: 'I have absolutely no idea'.
“John had been in the game for years but recognised Jack was streets ahead of everyone.
“He could do things other kids just couldn't do.
“It became just a case of channeling him in the right direction which is where our coaches Kevin McDonald and Tony McAndrew played such a big part.
“He then got stronger , quicker and worked hard on his muscular development over the last two-three years.
“Jack plays the game with a grin on his face which I love and is a character."
