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Paul Lambert will continue to use Jack Grealish sparingly after admitting that ‘he’s still got a long way to go’ before establishing himself in the side.

The clamour for the teenager to start his first Premier League game has intensified following his brief but exciting appearances from the substitutes bench.

Fans want to see what he can do if he’s given a run-out for 90 minutes in the top-flight although Lambert insists he has to earn his passage into the starting XI.

“It’s a challenge for him - he’s got to earn the right to get in,” said the Villa boss.

“As a young player coming on there is no level of expectation and no criticism from the crowd so he has got that freedom at the minute.

“Jack’s time will come where he is playing week in week out, then the pressure comes where he has to perform.

“I thought he did really well against Sunderland but he has got an awful long way to go.”

Gallery of Villa's goals so far this season

Grealish has made one Capital One Cup start for Villa and eight appearances in the league from the bench.

In the 0-0 draw with Sunderland he looked lively and caused problems but Lambert says he has to continue to push the senior players.

When asked if 2015 could be the year he starts to make a real name for himself, the Scot said: “That’s what I’m hoping for.

“I want him to push the experienced ones.

“As long as he doesn’t settle and he wants to push the senior lads...it will be up to him.

“He needs to get a bit more strength to him but he can beat people.

“He also needs to get a better understanding of the game but potentially he could be very good.”

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