Aston Villa’s return to form has been spectacularly aided by one man.

The club have won their last four matches in a row since the return of Jack Grealish – compared to just two of their previous 13 without him.

Stats have shown in the time the 23-year-old has been back on the pitch that things have improved drastically for the Championship outfit.

They are now inside the play-off places after an impressive 3-0 win over Middlesbrough this past weekend ahead of the international break.

As tweeted by Villa Report, the last four games have highlighted the significance of Grealish’s return and the fact Dean Smith decided to name him the captain in the absence of James Chester.

Four wins from four, with 11 goals scored and one conceded is phenomenal form which has aided their ascent into the top-six.

The verdict

It will be a tough ask to stay there – but if Villa can keep their talisman fit and firing, then they have every chance of making the play-offs.

Grealish’s return to the team has seen the players lifted and the system Smith likes to use pay dividends with the correct personnel in the correct positions.

It is no surprise they struggled so much without the attacker as he has a supreme influence in matches.

You have to wonder where they would be if he had left in the summer, but the fact he is still there and Villa still have a chance of making it to the play-offs come May.