Dean Smith reckons Gareth Southgate will retract his claim that Championship players aren’t good enough for England.
Before England’s European Championship qualifiers this month, Southgate said playing well in the Championship wouldn’t get you in his squad. But he turned up for Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn game to get a proper look at Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.
Grealish, hampered by injury and outshone by Scot John McGinn, wasn’t as good as in recent games but his Villa boss Smith is confident Southgate will keep checking on him.
“Some years ago there was Steve Bull from League One and he got in the England team,” said Smith. “If the talent is drying up in the Premier League then Southgate has to look elsewhere.
England boss Gareth Southgate: Not selling Wembley was a missed opportunity
“Let’s not forget that Jack Grealish and Tammy Abraham [Villa's on-loan Chelsea striker] have played in the Premier League, so they have proven themselves already. Now they are two of the stand-outs in this league.
“Southgate was here, which says a hell of a lot. It will give our English players a boost. I’m sure he will be sending some scouts to watch our games. England know all about them anyway. It just gives Southgate the chance to come and cast his own eyes on it.”
Grealish, carrying a leg injury that had needed treatment for two weeks, was subbed just before the end.
“I thought Grealish was really good first half,” added Smith. “Perhaps not as good as he has been overall, but that was because it was more of a team performance.”
Tyrone Mings and Abraham also did themselves big favours in a Villa win that should have been too convincing for the nervy finish they endured.
McGinn, whose last international experience was as part of the Scotland team shamed by Kazakhstan, was immense as Villa took their hot streak to five successive wins.
Tottenham ready to reignite interest for Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish
He made Abraham’s goal, brought exceptional saves out of David Raya, and put the ball on Mings’ head for Villa’s second.
Keeper Jed Steer’s mistake gave Amari’i Bell a late goal and a Blackburn revival that caused a few unnecessary hairy moments.
“There is no better place in the Championship to prove you are good enough to play for your country than Villa,” said McGinn of Grealish’s chances. “I’m not going to say too much about international football, it’s not been good for me recently.
“But it’s good to see the England boss coming to watch Aston Villa.”
