Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry hopes that Jack Grealish will work under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium one day.

The Aston Villa captain has been instrumental in his side's charge for a top-six finish this term with six goals and 11 assists in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign.

Grealish was tipped to make a move to Manchester United in the summer before he committed his future to Villa, but Barry has admitted that he would hope to see the England international choose City over the Red Devils if he does seek pastures new.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Barry said: "I'd say: 'for now, keep enjoying your football'. He's captaining his boyhood club and that's given him the freedom and the confidence that's been key to the way he's playing.

"He knows where he is until the end of the season, he should try and get Aston Villa into a European spot. He'll want to be playing European football and if he can be doing that for Aston Villa next season then that would be fantastic for him and the club.

"But the stories aren't going to go away, he's playing too well. It's not just going to be one team that wants his signature; it's going to be four or five across Europe.

"I would love to see him work under someone like Guardiola. That manager could help him learn more about the game, improve more. I'd go for Manchester City if you make me choose one."

Grealish penned fresh terms at Villa Park until 2025 last summer, and the attacker's side are currently ninth in the Premier League table - one point behind sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.