Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has claimed that Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is on a "different planet".
The 25-year-old has been integral to Villa's charge for a European place this term with six goals and 11 assists in 19 top-flight matches, including a goal and two assists from his last three.
Grealish was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United last summer before penning a new deal at Villa Park, and Merson has claimed that the England international is among the best in the world at this moment in time.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Merson said: "Jack Grealish is on a different planet. Honestly, I think he's that good. I have been saying it for a long, long time now.
"Some of the stuff [he does]... the ball is coming into him and he's just laying it off one-touch, he sees pictures and he goes past players.
"Find me a player better than him, at the moment. Honestly, I think you will find it very difficult."
Grealish committed his future to Villa - where he has amassed 32 goals and 42 assists in 206 appearances - until 2025 when he agreed fresh terms last year.