Marc Albrighton

Big things are expected of Marc Albrighton after an impressive start to his Villa first team career.

Not many youngsters can claim to have made their first team debut in Moscow, but Albrighton will always be able to relate the tale with authority.

Having been on the subs bench on a couple of occasions, the wing wizard was plunged into Villa's starting line-up for the second leg UEFA Cup clash against CSKA.

And despite a 2-0 defeat which ended the club's interest in the competition, he acquitted himself well at the Russian capital's imposing Luzhniki Stadium.

Before the start of the 2009-10 term, he was Martin O'Neill's player of the tournament in the Peace Cup pre-season success, dazzling on the wing and showing a calmness and composure beyond his years in the Malaga competition.

But when the season started for real, injury was a major problem as he looked to make an impact.

When he was called upon he performed admirably, however.

He came on early in the season against Wigan, Rapid Vienna and Cardiff City while he was thrown into the action midway through the term at Villa Park in the high-profile clash with Liverpool.

He started brilliantly against Brighton in the 3-2 win, setting up Nathan Delfouneso for the opening goal, before being forced out of the action through injury.

He was also brought into the action in the 2-2 draw with Wolves towards the end of the campaign but ultimately niggling problems were deciding factors in not getting as much game time as he would have wanted.

He did star for the reserve team when fit and dazzled in the national play-off final against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His performance prompted United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to pinpoint him as one to watch.

At the start of his claret and blue career, Albrighton was a member of the team which reached the 2008 FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

The Tamworth-born youngster made the step into the reserves with no great difficulty, helping the second string to the FA Premier Reserve League South title twice, including last term.

And all of this after he was rejected by neighbours West Bromwich Albion at an early age.