Arsenal legend Pires compares Man Utd target Grealish to Dennis Bergkamp

Robert Pires has paid Jack Grealish the ultimate compliment - by comparing the Aston Villa captain to Dutch legend Dennis Bergkamp.

Pires, the former Arsenal winger who played alongside Bergkamp during a six-year spell with the Gunners, believes Grealish's quality will give Dean Smith's side the chance to pull off a Wembley sensation in Sunday's Carabao Cup final clash with Manchester City .

The Frenchman reckons the 24-year-old Birmingham-born midfielder is so good that he wouldn't look out of place in Pep Guardiola's side.

And he believes Grealish now has the stage to show Guardiola why he can be the perfect replacement for David Silva at the Etihad next season.

Pires, who brought the curtain down on his Premier League career with a season at Villa Park, said: “Jack is a great footballer with a good technique – and I love watching him play because he reminds me of Dennis Bergkamp.

“I like to see him playing in the same position as Dennis, as a No 10.

“He has great vision, he isn't a selfish player because he always wants to do what is best for the team, and I think he has a great future.

“I don't want to put too much pressure on Jack, because he is still a young player learning the game, and Dennis was an incredible talent and a champion.

“But Grealish is a very complete player and I think the key for him is to keep playing like he enjoys his football.”

Guardiola has said that Phil Foden will step into Silva's boots when the Spaniard ends his 10-year spell with City at the end of his contract this summer.

But the City boss has already voiced his admiration for Grealish this season.

And Pires said: “City need to find a replacement for Silva next season - and I think Grealish is someone who Pep will look at.

“He is English, he has good experience of the Premier League, and he has a great technique.

“But I think Grealish is a player who would interest a lot of top clubs, like United , Chelsea and Arsenal.

“This has been a tough season for Villa, but I think Grealish will take a lot from it.

“He has learned how to fight every weekend and we have all seen how much it means to him to play for the club.

“Playing against Man City at Wembley is a great stage for Jack.

“But not just him. This is a chance for Villa to win a big trophy and that would have a big effect on the rest of their season.”

Pires, however, believes Villa's already herculean task has been made even tougher by the Champions League ban looming over City for breaking FFP regulations.

The Premier League champions have won five out of the last six domestic trophies.

And Pires said: “In my experience, when your club is being attacked off the pitch, then it makes you even more determined to be successful as a player.

“I think Pep and his team will want to win this cup more even than they did before.

“When you are a club like City, reaching the final is not enough. You have to lift the trophy.

“Can Villa win? In one game, anything is possible.

“I only played one season at Villa Park, but it is a club with a great history - and this is a chance for the players to add to that history.”