Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish dropped from first-team squad for Watford following off-field antics

The youngster was pictured partying after last week's heavy defeat to Everton

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish (Getty Images)

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has been dropped from the squad for Saturday’s home encounter with Watford as punishment for his off-field behaviour.

The 20-year-old was described as "not professional" by manager Remi Garde after images emerged of him partying last weekend following the 4-0 Premier League defeat to Everton.

Grealish has since been demoted to training with the club’s under-21 side and will continue to do so, Garde said at a pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s fixture.

"He won't be included in the squad for Watford," Garde confirmed.

"(His actions) are not of the professional standard that I expect from my players. That is why Jack is training in the under-21 team."

Earlier this year, Grealish was warned by Tim Sherwood, then-manager of Aston Villa, after he was pictured allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide.

A few months later, in June, photographs emerged of the midfielder apparently drunk, unconscious and lying on a road while on holiday in Tenerife. He was reprimanded for his behaviour by the club.

"Sometimes, players in every country ask to stay in the city where we are playing. It is not a problem for me, it can happen once or twice during a season," said Garde, regarding Grealish's partying last Saturday.

"The problem for me was not him not being on the bus. He is not playing at the weekend and at this stage, I think that is enough.

"Jack has got a lot of ability but he needs to improve his game and work at it."

Aston Villa are currently bottom of the Premier League table with five points, having not won since the opening day of the season against Bournemouth.

Additional reporting by PA