Jack Grealish: Who is Aston Villa's latest young star and could he play for England?

COMMENT: 19-year-old could play for England, despite having Republic of Ireland experience at youth level

(Getty)

When Aston Villa greet Arsenal in the FA Cup final in May, England manager Roy Hodgson will undoubtedly be in attendance to watch the likes of Theo Walcott, Fabian Delph and Danny Welbeck.

As The Independent revealed today, however, the former Fulham and Liverpool boss may also be tracking the progress of Villa’s 19-year-old starlet Jack Grealish.

Following a successful loan spell at Notts County last season, where he scored five goals at Meadow Lane, the duel-nationality attacking midfielder was linked with a stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers this year.

But Tim Sherwood, installed as manager at Villa Park in February, had other ideas.

Since his arrival in the West Midlands, the former Tottenham boss has picked up where he left off at White Hart Lane and given youth a shot in the Premier League.

Ryan Mason and Jack Grealish have benefited from Tim Sherwood's faith (Getty)

Grealish, a boyhood Villa supporter, has played for the Republic of Ireland at youth level but, after another star-turn on Sunday, may just be tempted to pull on the white shirt of England in the near future.

Set to be eligible for the national side following this summer’s Under-21s European Championships, the midfielder’s unique blend of flair and tireless endeavour was in stark contrast to the ailing fortunes of Steven Gerrard.

The Reds skipper, who would undoubtedly advocate any move by England to secure Grealish’s services, chased the Villa man’s shadow as Sherwood’s men booked their place in the final.

With just 18 first-team appearances to his name, some may consider it too early to lodge such an audacious bid – with no guarantee that his current form will last the test of time.

Set against the backdrop of dwindling options in young English talent, however, it is imperative that England do all that is necessary to land Grealish.

Harry Kane is now favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot (Getty)

Sherwood, of course, has previous in this particular field. Many will point to his tutorship of Harry Kane, the Premier League’s top goalscorer, and Ryan Mason at Spurs.

But for a wrangling of opinions at the North London club, he may have beaten Liverpool to Raheem Sterling’s signature too.

The FA Cup final used to be an occasion which attracted the great and the good of English football. In May, the number of possible home born players on the field is likely to be in single figures.

If Greg Dyke truly wants to be in a World Cup final by 2022, it’ll be players like Grealish who get him there.