Jack Grealish and I are good friends - he'd want an Aston Villa return at the right time

Former Aston Villa midfielder Henri Lansbury believes his old teammate Jack Grealish would remain open to returning to his boyhood club at some point in the future - but it'd have to be at the right time in the playmaker's career, if all of the components of a deal were to simultaneously fall into place.

Grealish left Villa having inspired them to a return to the Premier League and a comfortable second campaign back in the top flight after they dramatically secured survival on the final day of the first season. He is into his fourth season at the Etihad Stadium now, having won three Premier League titles and the Champions League as part of a treble in 2023.

Now 29, Grealish has two years remaining on his deal from next summer onwards, so while City themselves can remain relaxed about the England international's contract situation, the £100m signing's future is likely to be spotlighted again at the end of this season. Lansbury, who spent time with Grealish at Villa, can envision a potential return in the years to come as he reckons Grealish is open to the idea - but it must be at a time which suits all parties.

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"The Manchester City move was an unreal one for Jack," Lansbury said. "He deserves every bit of success, because he is that player, but now that he's there, you can't forget you're putting him in a team where, whoever they're coming up against, they're putting 11 men and their dog behind the ball. When he was in the Villa team, it was a case of 'give it to Jack' and let him do his thing. It's a totally different thing for him now, but I think he's been fantastic.

"I'm honestly so happy for him. What is it, now, three Premier Leagues for him? A Champions League and a treble winning season in there? I don't think he'll be unhappy with that. He's one of the nicest kids you'll ever meet, and he's also a very good friend of mine.

"Look, he wants to do unbelievable, but this is just a totally different playing style under Pep Guardiola. You see him do bits here and there, and he will still get assists and goals - I'm sure he'll want to do more himself.

"In terms of an Aston Villa return... I think it's something he'd want to do, but it would have to be when the time is right for him. For me, his standout moment in a Villa shirt was that goal against Birmingham, when he got punched. I wasn't playing in that game... I was either left out or on the bench! Look, he really does hate the Blues, and given what happened in that game, it was just such a nice thing to see: a local kid score in that derby."

Lansbury was speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' Gaffer of all Accas event.

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