Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish has expressed his delight at making his first senior start in the 3-3 draw with QPR on Tuesday and hopes he can repay the faith manager Tim Sherwood has shown in him.

19-year old winger Grealish played 70 minutes in the scintillating battle and although he admits he can perform at a higher standard, he was grateful to Sherwood for believing in him in such a vital fixture.

"Tim Sherwood gives every player a huge boost of confidence," he said. "I thought I was OK but I feel I can contribute towards the end of the season and play better.

"Playing my first game is probably the highlight of my career. To start for my boyhood club was a dream come true.

"You can see what he did at Tottenham with the young lads, bringing them through, just the way he is around the training ground, he is a great guy.

"He's given me my first start in a crucial game which I'm really grateful for. When you're not playing you get down, that's football, you have to stay positive and good things come your way.

"He's done little stuff like bring the younger lads to come and train next to the first team, which is so little but means so much to the younger lads."