Gareth Southgate urged to return to Aston Villa to keep tabs on England wannabes

Gareth Southgate will be a regular visitor at Aston Villa this season, according to boss Dean Smith.

England manager Southgate was in the stands to see Villa kick off their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 home win over Sheffield United.

Three Lions newboy Jack Grealish captained the hosts and international team-mate Tyrone Mings marshalled the defence fresh from also penning a new deal.

Former England U21 defender Ezri Konsa headed a second half winner after new record £28million striker Ollie Watkins got John Egan sent off early on.

They were some of six Englishmen starting for Villa as Smith claimed there would be plenty of talent to keep Southgate coming back.

“I am sure there will be,” insisted Smith.

“Jack got his debut recently and Tyrone has been in the squad.

“Ezri Konsa has been in the junior ages and I thought he will have caught Gareth's eye as well.

“I thought Ezri was outstanding and the mainstay of our defence.

“Tyrone has just signed a new contract and I think he might have been on a heading bonus the amount he won.

“Ollie Watkins as well is another one who will certainly want to make an improvement to get recognised by the international manager.

“Hopefully he can do that.”

England are back in action next month with a friendly against Wales on October 8 before Nations League games at home to Belgium and Denmark.

Also in Villa's starting XI were ex-England U21 left-back Matt Targett and new right-back Matty Cash, who cost £14m from Nottingham Forest.

Cash, 23, put over several decent crosses while fellow top-flight debutant Watkins, 24, led the line well with good control and movement.

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“I thought they did OK,” added Smith, who expects Villa to improve on last term's 17th place.

“It was their first Premier League experience.

“Ollie made a great run to get the other side of John Egan which resulted in the red card.

“I think they can both be fairly pleased with their debuts.

“There is certainly going to be more to come and I believe they will get better and better.”

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