Aston Villa boss Dean Smith insists his side aren't a one-man team as they gear up for today's clash against West Brom.

Midfielder Jack Grealish has been pivotal to Villa's play-off push this season, with the local lad set to lead the side out against the Baggies.

Whilst his talent is clear to see, the stats highlight just how important he is to the team as well. After picking up an injury in December, Villa won just two of their next 14 games without the academy lad.

Sine he returned, they have won nine and drawn one of the last ten the 25-year-old has played in.

However, Smith told the Express & Star that whilst he appreciates the quality of Grealish, there are others who have made big contributions too.

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"Of course I am aware of what people think. We didn’t win enough games when Jack wasn’t playing. Then when he came back we started winning straight away. Jack is the first one to remind me about that, too!

"But he’s also the first to know he can’t do the things he does without the team around him. The likes of Mings, McGinn, Tuanzebe, a renaissance of Whelan, so to speak, Hourihane’s delivery, El Ghazi... I could go through them all.

"There’s never been talk from us inside that we’re a one-man team."

The Verdict

You have to expect this sort of response from Smith and in a way he is right because Villa have a squad packed full of quality and there are others who have made a big difference.

Yet, you can't get away from the fact that they're a different team without Grealish, as the stats show.

Thankfully for Villa he will play today and he's sure to have a big impact on the game.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.