Jack Grealish has taken to his personal Twitter account to post a picture, as the Aston Villa midfielder continues his return to full fitness with yet another performance for the club’s under-23 side. 

A freak kidney injury picked up in Villa’s final pre-season friendly has seen Grealish miss Villa’s opening 13 fixtures of the Sky Bet Championship season, but the talented midfielder is edging closer to a return, by making yet another under-23 appearance.

The 22-year-old featured against Reading’s under-23s last night, as the Royals handed Villa’s youngsters a 3-2 defeat. Despite the defeat, Steve Bruce will be encouraged by Grealish stepping up his return to full fitness, with another good amount of minutes under his belt.

Bruce will welcome Grealish back into a first-team squad that are flying in the Championship, having won five of their last six fixtures, which has lifted Villa from mid-table to fifth, and just five points behind second placed, Cardiff City.

It remains to be seen when Grealish will make his return to Villa’s matchday squad, with Bruce’s side themselves not returning to action until Sunday lunchtime. Villa travel across Birmingham to face their fierce rivals, Birmingham City, in the Second City derby.

Reports this morning have confirmed that Gabby Agbonlahor is unlikely to be fit for Sunday’s clash.

The Verdict

Things are looking good for Aston Villa and Steve Bruce at the moment, and Grealish’s pending return to first-team action will help to improve the mood around Villa Park once again.

Bruce’s side are playing probably their best football since his arrival last year, and Grealish will only improve them further. If the youngster can rediscover his best, he could be the catalyst to a promotion charge.

Aston Villa fans… Let us know your thoughts!