This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has given his thoughts on Jack Grealish's recent position change and why the move has ultimately paid off.

What's he said?

Before the international break got underway, Villa picked up only their second win of this Premier League campaign.

They were surprisingly rampant against an injury-stricken Norwich City as the west Midlanders stuck five past them in Norfolk, having only scored eight goals in their previous seven outings.

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Villa's captain scored one of the goals in that game and has since drawn praise from his 48-year-old boss.

Speaking to BirminghamLive, Smith said:

"He did quite well and we did it against Burnley as well.

"He's a player who I think can score more goals, create a lot more as well. I just felt in those games we needed to move him on a little bit further, a little bit higher, getting him closer to Wes.

"It took a little bit of me talking him into [switching position] at first but he's loving it now, creating a couple, has scored one and long may that continue.

"He's not an out-and-out left-winger, he's playing a little bit closer inside to Wesley and personnel has just helped that given Matt Targett's more of an offensive full-back than Neil [Taylor] is."

Paying dividends

The move to play the 24-year-old further forward appears to have changed Villa's fortunes slightly - more proof will be needed in the next handful of matches, but so far, the signs are positive.

Grealish bagged an assist against Arsenal when he was moved further forward, and now he has notched his first goal of the Premier League season, per WhoScored - it's as if someone had been listening to Football FanCast's previous advice as we suggested that a more advanced position for the captain would bear fruit.

Aston Villa's summer signings' performances so far this season are rated in the video below...

Smith's move shows his managerial ability in greater depth too, which should serve as a reminder on why Villa have genuine survival chances and that their summer comparisons to Fulham were merely naive.

He isn't afraid to change his methods, and if it ruffles his players, then he doesn't mind as he states above when Grealish needed convincing to switch roles.

Villa have a tough run of games on the horizon with reigning champions Manchester City and the current league leaders Liverpool within two weeks of each other, but those can be free-hits on their season.