Aston Villa ace Conor Hourihane says Jack Grealish is ‘too good’ for team as Man Utd chase team-mate

CONOR HOURIHANE suspects Manchester United target Jack Grealish has outgrown Aston Villa and confessed: “He’s too good for us.”

Patrick Berger once earned the wrath of former Villa boss Martin O’Neill for urging Gareth Barry to seize the “opportunity of a lifetime,” and sign for Liverpool.

But Republic of Ireland midfielder Hourihane is convinced it is only a matter of time before Grealish is snapped up by one of Europe’s big beasts, with the Red Devils currently favourites to land the 24-year-old Villa captain.

Hourihane said during a podcast for the Irish newspaper, The Southern Star: “He's top, top class.

"In terms of pure ability and sheer skill and technique level he's easily the best player I've played with to date.

"He's just got that gift. He's skipping by the best players in this league so easily.

"He's developed over the three years I've been here - he's taken his game to a new level - especially this year in the Premier League.

"He's taken it by storm really. You know the England team and getting that big move is only a matter of time because, if I'm being brutally honest, he's too good for our team at Aston Villa."

Grealish has made 31 appearances this season, scoring nine goals with eight assists.

His ability to play out wide and through the middle has attracted the attention of United, who were said to be willing to meet his £80million.

But he risked wrecking his dream move when he crashed his £80,000 car after being out at an all-night party - just hours after urging everyone to stay at home.

Grealish apologised for his actions and the ordeal has not put Solskjaer off wanting to sign the 24-year-old.

However the Old Trafford chiefs may now struggle to fund a move amid football's coronavirus financial crisis.