Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that the departure of Jack Grealish might not be the worst outcome for Aston Villa, despite it being a huge blow on paper.

Following months of speculation, the boyhood supporter and Villa captain recently confirmed his British-record move to Manchester City in a £100m deal.

Prior to Grealish's switch to the Etihad Stadium, Villa had already broken their club-record fee to bring Emiliano Buendia to the east Midlands from Norwich.

And with Grealish's transfer to the champions moving ever-closer, Dean Smith acted by bringing in Leon Bailey before Danny Ings signed from Southampton – with those three additions going some way to replacing him.

He's been the club's talisman since their promotion back to the Premier League, scoring the goal which helped them avoid relegation two seasons ago before chipping in both goals and assists to secure an 11th place finish last term.

However, Windass told FFC that Grealish leaving could help Villa become more of a team and not so reliant on one individual:

"Jack going to Manchester City, it might not be a bad thing, because it becomes a one-man band. Like last season, he didn't play for ages then it was the whole 'Aston Villa don't win without Jack Grealish'.

"So, if he's gone, you've got to set up another strategy."