'Small fish' - Jack Grealish sent Aston Villa message ahead of Man City vs Man Utd

Former Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been labelled a "small fish in a big pond" at Manchester City compared to last season at Villa Park.

Since signing for a British-record £100 million transfer fee last summer, Grealish has made 26 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola 's side but was sidelined by a niggling shin injury until recently.

The 26-year-old featured just twice last month for City - against Brentford and Fulham - and returned from the injury for the midweek round of the FA Cup against Peterborough United this week.

Grealish started and played the full 90 minutes for just the third time this calendar year and capped the night with City's second goal to secure progression to the quarter-finals.

Ex- Villa attacker Paul Merson was impressed by the performance and has tipped the England international to "turn it on" in the final months of the season ahead of this weekend's Manchester derby against United.

"Jack Grealish was good in the FA Cup," Merson told sportskeeda," but, unlike at Aston Villa, he is a small fish in a big pond at Manchester City despite the fact that he cost £100 million.

"That said, the cream always rises to the top, so I fancy him to turn it on at the business end of the season."

Grealish's return of four goals and three assists for City so far this season pales in comparison to the numbers put up during what turned out to be the attacking midfielder's final season at Villa Park.

Under Dean Smith, that goalscoring return was almost double (seven), and a further 10 were assisted for teammates.

That fine form continued into the European Championship when Grealish laid on a further two goals in the final group stage game against the Czech Republic and the round of