Remi Garde has described Jack Grealish as an "unfinished player" after taking charge at Aston Villa earlier this month.
The 20-year-old has made 11 appearances for the club so far this season, but was left out of the goalless draw with Manchester City, which was Garde's first match in charge.
The Frenchman told reporters: "Jack is a very gifted player with a lot of skill and quality but what I saw in the last few games he played was not the level he should have played. It is as simple as that.
"I am not here to be nice with people. When a player has potential and they are gifted they have to work to extract this gift and skills they have. If you don't work and you are gifted it is not enough. But when you work hard you will be rewarded for that.
"Jack is an unfinished player and it is the way of thinking that all players need to have. You are never finished, you can improve even if you are 29 or 30 years old with many games in your bag. This is the state of mind that you have to keep."
Garde also confirmed that Grealish will be in the matchday squad for tomorrow's trip to Everton.
Sian Cowper
