Aston Villa No2 Ray Wilkins has called on Jack Grealish to fly straight.

Grealish was disciplined by the club after being pictured passed out on a Tenerife street following a night out while on holiday a month ago, and the Villa manager and his assistant have spelt out to the 19-year-old how costly such behaviour can be to his football career.

Wilkins was asked what words he would deliver to Grealish following the post-season incident.

"To live like a monk," said Wilkins, who was Chelsea captain at 18. "I lived like a monk from 17 probably through to 25. Very little booze and worked.

"What do you want in life? The only way you can be a professional footballer is to graft your balls off. If you have that natural talent that Jack has – at 19, he can be fitter than 95 per cent of midfield players – he is a massive asset."