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Carabao Cup: Jack Grealish hoping to outshine Kevin De Bruyne

Villa skipper Jack Grealish has revealed how he is aiming to get one over footballing ‘idol’ Kevin De Bruyne on Sunday.

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Grealish has admitted to still being ‘half starstruck’ whenever he lines up against the Manchester City ace, who he rates as currently the best player in the Premier League.

De Bruyne will be part of the City team Grealish and Villa are aiming to shoot down in the Carabao Cup final.

“I’m still half starstruck when I am playing against Kevin De Bruyne because he is one of my favourite players ever." Grealish said, speaking to VillaTV.

“I think he is the best player in the Premier League at the moment and he is someone I look up to.

“I try to take things from his game and put them into mine. Going up against them (City) is always going to be tough but it is a one-off game and we have to hope things go our way on the day.”

Grealish is poised to make his fifth appearance for Villa at Wembley. The 24-year-old lead his boyhood club to play-off glory and promotion last May but believes ending the club’s 24-year wait for a major trophy would be an even bigger achievement.

“When you finish your career and look back you want to have won medals and lifted trophies,” he said.

“Sometimes I still pinch myself I am captain of Aston Villa at the age of just 24.

“To walk up those steps last year was a dream come true to get this club back to the Premier League. But to do it and give the fans something to cheer about would be brilliant for the club.

“Even though I am young I still feel like an experienced player and feel like I can speak to some of the other lads who have not been at Wembley before.

“We know we can cause (City) problems if we play the way we can. It is 90 minutes and anything can happen.”