Marc Albrighton

LATEST NEWS

Marc Albrighton suffered an injury setback while playing for Villa's U21s against Sunderland on April 1.

He came off during the 3-1 win at Hinckley with an ankle problem.

He is now working his way back.

WHAT HE SAID

The gaffer has come in and put a stamp on the club in terms of what he wants and what he expects.

It's a massive season and one I am relishing. I had a first season which was good but the second wasn't so good. This third season is absolutely huge for me. I am going to try and impress and hopefully I can. It's so big. I can't put it into words.

Family life is just tremendous. I'm loving it so much. It's fantastic. It's just so different. To have her in my life is amazing. When I get home from training she's there smiling.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

Jordan Bowery: Marc is a top player. What strikes me is his quality of delivery from out wide. He's great on the ball in general play but when he's crossing, he whips in a terrific ball.

MINI PROFILE

Marc Albrighton may not have starred as prominently for Villa during his second full season in the senior ranks but he still etched his name into the Barclays Premier League record books.

The Tamworth-born winger's expertly-taken strike against Arsenal in December was the Premier League's 20,000th goal.

As well as making a piece of history, official charity partners Acorns benefitted to the tune of £20,000.

It was his second strike of the campaign - the first coming in Villa's 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium in December.

Albrighton had to settle for appearances from the bench in Villa's first five top-flight fixtures, although he did start against Hereford and Bolton in the Carling Cup.

He was back with a bang towards the end of 2011, having marked is second consecutive league start by masterminding the triumph over the Trotters.

Albrighton's good form continued into the start of 2012 when he netted in Villa's 3-0 FA Cup third round victory over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

The former England U21 wideman was in and out of Alex McLeish's starting line-up for the remainder of the campaign.

He finished the 2011-12 campaign with a record of three goals from 25 appearances.

The 2010-11 season signalled Albrighton's big breakthrough.

After starring in the Guadiana Cup with a stunning goal against Feyenoord, he became a regular starter in the Barclays Premier League.

He marked his first top-flight start with a dazzling performance in the opening day 3-0 win over West Ham United.

Albrighton had a hand in all three goals as Villa ran riot against the Hammers.

In the same week, he set up fellow academy graduate Barry Bannan for Villa's goal in a 1-1 draw against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

Although a red card against Burnley in the League Cup came as a rare low point, Albrighton's breakthrough season was full of highs.

He scored his first Villa goal against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in October 2010 and, in November, he latched on to a sublime Bannan cross-field ball to score one of the goals of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

He saved his best performance of all for the 2-2 draw against Manchester United a few weeks later.

On an afternoon when Villa's academy stars came to the fore, Albrighton realised a boyhood dream by scoring in front of the Holte End.

He missed four weeks of the season after having his appendix removed but returned to star in the latter part of the campaign.

Albrighton finished 2010-11 with 37 appearances and six goals, while he shared the club's Young Player of the Year gong with Ciaran Clark.

In 2009-10, Albrighton was one of the major players in Villa's triumph at the Peace Cup despite having never made a senior appearance.

In fact, the winger scored his first senior goal in the 3-1 success over Atlante.

His Premier League debut followed with a substitute appearance on the opening day of the season against Wigan Athletic.

He made further appearances from the bench against Liverpool and Wolves.

For the second year in a row, Albrighton also helped the reserves win the Barclays Premier Reserve League South title.

Although Albrighton had to be patient for his first crack at top-flight action, he got an early taste of senior competitive football in the UEFA Cup when Martin O'Neill handed him a debut against CSKA Moscow in February 2009.

INTERESTING FACT

Marc Albrighton is a new dad, his partner giving birth to Matilda-Beau in February 2012.