Albrighton ready for the challenge

[Rip Van We Go Again]

sportinglife.com

Aston Villa's Marc Albrighton is hoping the lessons he has learnt from departed wingers Ashley Young and Stewart Downing will help him to step up and fill their boots this season.

The pair left the club for a total of £35million this summer, and both manager Alex McLeish and star striker Darren Bent have tipped Albrighton to shine in their absence.

"It's always nice to hear that from your manager," Albrighton said. "They are big boots to fill, but for me it's an opportunity.

"I'll go out there and do my best and hopefully something will come of it."

The 21-year-old is now hoping to thrive without the players who have been instrumental in his development, even if he will miss their help and advice.

"That's something that I haven't got this year which I think I'm going to miss," Albrighton said.

"They are two of the best wingers in England at the moment so to learn from players like that for the last two or three years is great for me.

"I don't have them this year, but hopefully they've given me enough lessons to show my own ability and go out there and perform."

Albrighton, who was speaking at the launch of Aston Villa's new home shirt, sponsored by Genting Casinos, believes he needs regular first-team football to improve his game further.

He said; "Playing in Premier League games is the only way you're going to be able to test yourself, and you're testing yourself against the best there.

"To play every week would be great for me if I can manage that."

Despite the loss of key players this summer, Albrighton believes Villa should forget about a disappointing 2010/11 season and aim for a top-six finish.

"I think we've got to say that our target's Europe," he said.

"I don't know what happened last year, we should have been up there, but we conceded sloppy goals that have cost us victories and a lot of points in the end.

"This year we've got to jump back on it and finish where we should be. Aston Villa are a European club."

[Rip Van We Go Again]

"I think we've got to say that our target's Europe,"

Has he been dope tested lately?

[Concrete John]

I think he's one of the key players next season, in that if we're going to have a good season he needs to.

Add to that list:-
Ireland
Dunne and/or Collins

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I think he's one of the key players next season, in that if we're going to have a good season he needs to.

Add to that list:-
Ireland
Dunne and/or Collins

Agree John.
We need all 4 of them on top form and with the Benny's kept to a minimum.

A big ask.

[Concrete John]

A big ask.

Maybe.

I have more faith in Dunne and Collins than I do in Ireland, but the defence is key to our season as I think we'll always have goals in us thanks to Bent, plus the supply of people like Marc, so if we can keep things tight then we'll be a decent side.

[Clampy]

"I think we've got to say that our target's Europe,"

Has he been dope tested lately?

He is hopeful of a good season for us but Could it be Magic?

[Ads]

I think he's the best, most dangerous and consistent crosser of the ball in the league.

[PaulWinch again]

Good luck to him, he needs to make sure he doesn't tail off this year.

[not3bad]

"I think we've got to say that our target's Europe,"

Has he been dope tested lately?

What's he meant to say, "Our target's got to be a long drawn out fight for survival"?

[Mazrim]

Potentially our best out and out winger since Morley. Who he reminds me of.

[Concrete John]

An Albion mate of mine who pretty much hates us and everything to do with us thinks he's a top player, even though he's embarassed to admit it.

I agree with him.

[Brend'Watkins]

I think he's the best, most dangerous and consistent crosser of the ball in the league.

I think you're right.

He will be that bit wiser this season so hopefully other aspects of his game will improve as well.

[QBVILLA]

What I like about Albrighton is that he keeps it simple and crosses into an area with pace on the ball rather than trying the precision cross.As long as his natural instincts don't get coached out of him he'll be a big star for both club and country

[timeoutbigbar]

Potential is the key word.  Massive risk if we're going into this season with him as our first choice right winger.  He can't realistically be relied upon to perform consistently throughout the season at his age and experience. What happens if/when he burns out?  Gabby on the wing?  Never liked the idea of him playing wide, you need a decent touch.

[darren woolley]

Marc has the potential to be a top top player I'm glad we have got him I reckon now Young and Downing have left he can easily fill there boots no problem.