Aston Villa have had quite a 12 months.

After securing promotion to the Premier League it was always going to be a difficult task to keep their heads above water last term.

Villa spent around £143million on new players last summer, and while that was one expensive shopping spree, it seemed to pay off.

Dean Smith's side were able to avoid the drop in the closing stages of the season, and that has set them up nicely for this term.

Aston Villa are looking to kick on this term, and that's been evident by some ambitious business in the transfer market.

First of all Matty Cash arrived in a £14million move from Nottingham Forest, before a £28million deal to sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford sent a real signal of intent.

But while bringing players in is clearly a priority, there's also an eye on who could be heading for the exit door.

One man who is regularly linked with a move away is Jack Grealish.

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Now an England international, Grealish is very much a local hero after coming through the ranks at Villa Park and becoming captain.

He's very much led by example on the pitch and played a key role on the club's promotion to the top flight and ability to stay in the league.

But that has led to significant interest in his services.

Manchester United have regularly been linked with a move for the midfielder, but are yet to get anywhere near striking a deal.

However according to Aston Villa favourite Dion Dublin, it's only a matter of time before he moves on.

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Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, via Birmingham Live, Dublin said: “He is a player that is touching on, and can be, world class given the chance to continue progressing as a player.

“I want him to stay at Villa, but I don’t think he will.

“The money that Villa will get offered for him will be hard to turn down.

“We’re talking £70million, £80million, £90million for a player of that age."

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

There's no doubt that Jack Grealish deserves to be playing for a top English club.

After all, he's an England international now.

The midfielder has the quality and leadership to really thrive at a big club and that's something which means a move is inevitable at some point.

Valued at £36million by Transfermarkt, Grealish is not going to be a cheap deal to do for a club like Man United.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic means that funds are restricted in the game, and that means that such a deal will be difficult to do.

It wouldn't be a move was held off until next summer, however I'm sure that Grealish will be pushing for a big move while his stock is high.