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Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood insists his side are not in a relegation battle at his news conference on Friday (2nd October) ahead of his side's Premier League clash against Stoke on Saturday (3rd October). He also said Jack Grealish must maintain focus with Aston Villa, regardless of an England call-up.

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SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Sherwood, Aston Villa manager (on midfielder Jack Grealish):

"Absolutely. He's not playing for England unless he's playing for Aston Villa. That works for every player. They need to play for their club side, they need to play well to be able to get picked by the England manager. Roy (Hodgson) is at a lot of our games. We have a lot of English players. He's always looking and he's going to make that decision based on how Jack is playing for Aston Villa."

SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Sherwood, Aston Villa manager:

"There is a focus on playing for Aston Villa. I don't look at the international career of any of the players. I'm pleased if they get called up because it means that they are doing something right for us but he (Jack Grealish) needs to get some consistency in his performances for Aston Villa first."

SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Sherwood, Aston Villa manager:

"Do I think we'll be in a relegation battle? I think it's too early to put us in a relegation battle. Seven games gone is not a relegation battle. It's not what we wanted as a return of points but onwards and upwards. We're confident that it'll come right. We're a work in progress. Very young group, getting used to each other - getting used to the Premier League. I say it time and time again, we're confident and I'm very confident in this group of players. We'll be ok."