Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish has admitted he’s “star-struck” by Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne ahead of their Carabao Cup final clash on Sunday.
Grealish has been Villa’s standout player upon their Premier League return, notching seven goals and six assists as Dean Smith’s men battle against relegation.
Jack Grealish vs Kevin De Bruyne: Five key Premier League stats:
- Chances created: Grealish – 96, De Bruyne – 69
- Assists: Grealish – 6, De Bruyne – 16
- Passes completed: Grealish – 857, De Bruyne – 1,201
- Dribbles completed: Grealish – 58, De Bruyne – 37
- Goals: Grealish – 7, De Bruyne – 8
The England hopeful has also helped the Villans reach the Carabao Cup final, with a mammoth clash against Man City awaiting them at Wembley this Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s men crushed Villa 6-1 in the Premier League back in January with De Bruyne notching two assists — helping toward a league-high total of 16.
And ahead of this Sunday’s final showdown, Grealish has admitted he’s a little “star-struck” by De Bruyne, hailing the Belgium international as his “favourite player ever”.
“I’m half star-struck when I play against Kevin De Bruyne, he’s my favourite player ever,” said Grealish.
“I think he’s unbelievable, I think he’s easily the best player in the Premier League at the moment.
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“He’s someone I personally look up to at the moment and try and base my game on them. Try and take things from their game and put it into mine.
“Obviously, going up against them it’s going to be tough, it’s a one-off game and fingers crossed on the day it goes our way.”
De Bruyne is the Premier League’s chief creator this season, laying on 96 chances for his teammates and notching 16 assists, more than any other player in both regards.