Aston Villa are gearing up for Monday's play-off final against Derby County at Wembley, with Dean Smith's side potentially just 90 minutes away from the Premier League.

Influential midfielder Jack Grealish will be a key figure for the side on the day and he has sent out a message to the fans ahead of the big game.

Taking to Instagram, the skipper shared an image of himself talking to the manager, with the caption 'always learning'.

Whilst Grealish's talent has always been there for people to see, there's no doubt that his game has gone up a level under the guidance of the former Brentford boss who has built the side around the academy graduate.

He was the catalyst for a remarkable ten-game winning run that prompted a play-off push and was also heavily involved as they beat West Brom in the semi-final.

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So, Smith has no doubt been working on a tactical plan that allows Grealish to flourish on Monday.

The 23-year-old played for Villa as they lost to Fulham in the final last year and will be desperate for a different outcome this time around.

The Verdict

It's good for players to send messages out to the fans like that and the Villa support will love the respect Grealish clearly has for Smith.

The pair are both boyhood fans and they will know exactly what returning to the Premier League will mean to everyone connected to the club.

There will be real excitement as the game draws closer and given his form, Grealish could be the man to make the difference at the national stadium.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.