Aston Villa boss Dean Smith admits selling Jack Grealish is a "huge disappointment".
Grealish completed a move to Manchester City on Thursday.
“It's a huge disappointment that Jack moves on. Everybody knows what he means to this football club and I also know what he means to the fans," Smith said.
“We want to keep our best players, but unfortunately Jack's had a really tough decision to make. Jack will always be highly thought of by all staff and players at this football club, and I hope by the supporters as well because of what he's given to this club.
“He will always be an Aston Villa fan and that will never change. Unfortunately we can't provide European football for Jack at the moment. He's going into his 26th year of his life and he understands it's a short career and he wants to go and play at the top level. He's had a taste of it at the Euros.
"For somebody to come through our Academy and become the British record transfer, I think just shows what an exceptional talent Jack has been and will be."
He continued: “But we move on. I'm not looking to replace Jack because I don't think you can. He's such a unique player and a unique character.
“My job is to use the funds to actually make us a better team by bringing in more quality players and give us more depth as a team and not be as reliant on one player."
