Jack Grealish can help turn Villa's season around - Joe Cole

Joe Cole believes Jack Grealish is the man to help turn Aston Villa's season around and relieve the pressure on Tim Sherwood.

The former England international revealed Sherwood wants to build his team around the 20-year-old as they battle for survival.

Cole joined Sky Bet League One side Coventry on a short-term loan from Villa last week and has backed Grealish to handle the pressure.

"West Ham were constantly in a relegation battle when I was coming through," said the 33-year-old, who is preparing to make his Coventry debut at Rochdale on Tuesday.

"It's sink or swim. The gaffer loves him. He wants to give him that time to build the team around him.

"Jack is a good lad and now he is getting into that stage where he has gone beyond potential and is an important cog in the wheel at Villa. That is a different stage of his career now - it becomes expectancy and is a different way of dealing with it.

Joe Cole has joined Coventry on a 35-day loan deal

"He is going to be a massive player for Villa over the future. It is important that the club build the team around him. I think they have the perfect gaffer for him."

Villa are second bottom in the Premier League and have not won since their opening day victory at Bournemouth, but Cole has backed Sherwood to keep them in the top flight.

He said: "The manager has a lot of qualities he brings to the table and he is also getting better every day. He is learning the trade himself. But he is definitely good enough to keep Villa up and I can see the players getting better and the manager getting better."