Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish admits he almost missed last Sunday's stunning 7-2 win over Liverpool.

The Villans captain played a starring role for Dean Smith's side as he scored two and set up three goals, before linking up with Reds trio Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson with England and impressing on his full international debut against Wales in midweek.

"It was actually a weird one," Grealish told the Guardian when reflecting on the victory. "I had a fitness test on the day of the Liverpool game (last Sunday).

"I hadn't even trained for the two days before it because I had a sore hamstring. I didn't expect to play the way I did.

"(It) doesn't come around often in your lifetime as a footballer, it was crazy."

He continued: "I'm capable of these types of performances. The aim is to do it every weekend like some of the players in this (England) squad – Harry Kane, Raheem (Sterling), Marcus (Rashford). It is the standard these guys set.

"You only have to look at Harry Kane. He is first on the training pitch, he is first in the meetings. He is last off the training pitch, he is practising his finishing, free-kicks – every single day.

"No wonder he is one of the best strikers in the world. It makes you want to go back to Villa and set those standards."