By Dan Harrison

Marc Albrighton was pleased to end a testing week on a high, as Villa bounced back from two defeats to earn a hard-fought win over Everton.

The winger hailed a gutsy display from his team-mates in Sunday's 1-0 victory over the Toffees.

Albrighton admits there was a feeling of dejection in the camp after back-to-back defeats against Newcastle and Rapid Vienna.

But he was pleased with a terrific all-round team performance which helped the claret and blues to their second win of the new campaign.

The 20-year-old is more renowned for providing an attacking threat on the flanks but, in Sunday's victory, he stood out for his tireless defensive work.

Albrighton told AVTV: "It has been a hard week. The lads were a bit dejected after the Rapid Vienna game and very dejected after the Newcastle game.

"But we've shown great character here. We've come here and put on a great performance.

"More than anything we put in a great shift. Everyone worked for each other and we got a great result.

"We were under the cosh in the second-half but we defended like Trojans - the back four, the midfield and even the strikers.

"Brad Friedel made a crucial save at the end, everyone worked for each other and we got the three points which we are delighted with."

The afternoon could have got even better for Albrighton, had he converted a close-range effort in the second-half when Tim Howard thwarted Ashley Young.

He offered an honest assessment of the miss and insists it is something he will learn from.

Albrighton added: "I should have made it 2-0 - I think I was reading headlines before I put the ball in the net!

"It is disappointing not to score a goal but I should have reacted better.

"It took me five minutes to get over it which I have got to work on - get on with it, it has gone, you can't do anything about it so look for the next one."