'He's started perfectly': Guardiola expects the best of Grealish this season | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says Jack Grealish has made a perfect start to life at Manchester City and believes the midfielder will show his best form as the season progresses.

Grealish has scored twice in 15 appearances since his summer move from Wednesday night’s opponents Aston Villa and Guardiola has been impressed with what he has seen from the playmaker.

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The City boss admits the 26-year-old is still acclimatising to his new surroundings and the demands of playing three games a week, but he has no concerns with his level of performance.

“I would say he has started perfectly,” Guardiola said at his press conference ahead of the trip to Villa Park.

“I think it is easier because he knows many English players here and the other guys are nice to people.

“He played good but he has to settle, to find an apartment to live, and settle. Always you need a little bit of time.

“If you analyse the games, has he played bad? Absolutely not. The quality he has, it is difficult to play bad.

“The way we play, the expectation and playing every few days, it is completely different to when he was playing in Birmingham, but he did incredibly well there.

“The commitment to the club was amazing, going into the second division and getting promoted to the first division and staying there.

“He came back from the national team injured and now he will hopefully come back and step by step we will see his best form.”

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Grealish has missed City’s last three games with the injury he suffered whilst away with England earlier this month, but his condition has improved and he will be assessed on Wednesday morning ahead of what could be his first return to Villa Park.

The England international spent 20-years with his boyhood club – from the Academy through to the first team – and whilst Guardiola acknowledges there will be a natural period of adjustment, he expects his No.10 will reach his optimum level during his debut campaign.

“I don't think so,” he replied when asked City may have to wait until next season to see the best of Grealish.

“We would be in trouble. We have to see it right now. We have six or seven months ahead of us.

“I am not thinking we will see the best Jack Grealish next season. I want to see it this season.”

City head to the Midlands to face a Villa side who have been resurgent under new manager Steven Gerrard.

The former Rangers boss has had an instant impact, overseeing wins against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace from his two games in charge.

Guardiola says it is no surprise that Gerrard’s arrival has had a positive impact on the pitch and is bracing himself for a tough test on Wednesday.

“I can imagine when you are a new manager everybody makes a step forward to convince the manager in the training sessions and because of that they got two great results against tough teams like Brighton and Crystal Palace,” he added.

“We are travelling there, and I can imagine we will face the toughest game possible, that's for sure.”