Grealish has been a major factor in Villa’s charge from mid-table into the play-offs and was this week named in the PFA’s Championship team of the year.

The 23-year-old was the subject of fervent speculation last summer when he was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, before the arrival of Villa’s new billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Despite Grealish then signing a new five-year contract last September, Smith accepts his future is again likely to be under the spotlight this summer with Tottenham and Crystal Palace both keen.

Villa winning promotion through the play-offs would make an exit highly unlikely yet the boss believes that could still be the case, even if the club remains in the Championship.

He said: “It would be crazy if we didn’t get bids for him. But he has committed his future to the club.

“He has a long-term contract and he’s a Villa fan. He is captain of the club now as well. There are an awful lot of things to keep him at this club.”

Grealish has scored four goals in nine appearances since returning from a near three month injury lay-off at the start of March.

Smith continued: “He is the best player I have worked with. He has natural ability but a strong work ethic and strong mindset that people probably don’t see.

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“He is also very well respected in the dressing room and is getting pushed an awful lot at this football club, not just the league, for being the best player.

“There has been some standout performances - Tammy Abraham, who got in the team of the year, John McGinn’s been fantastic all season and Tyrone Mings has come in and excelled.

“But I said when I first came in what a talented player Jack was, what he’s started bringing to his game now is goals and assists – he’s started becoming the player he can be.”