Marc Albrighton and Aston Villa have taken very different paths since he was released by the Birmingham club in 2014.
Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton with the trophy as he celebrates winning the Barclays Premier League
Marc Albrighton sent the Leicester City fans into dreamland on Tuesday night as his goal against Sevilla rubber-stamped the Foxes’ place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
It was Albrighton’s second strike in the competition this season, an achievement that probably seemed so far from reality when the 27-year-old was released by Aston Villa in the summer of 2014.
Having come through the Villa academy, the midfielder told Sky Sports he was shocked when he was deemed surplus to requirements, having made 102 appearances for the Birmingham club since his debut in 2009.
Nigel Pearson gave the Englishman the chance to remain in the top flight with newly promoted Leicester. What has followed for both parties has been nothing short of remarkable.
Albrighton was a slow burner at the King Power Stadium that first term, making just nine league appearances before April and often in action for the reserves.
Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton scores their second goal
However, his first consistent run in the first team coincided with seven wins from the Foxes’ last nine matches to secure survival. Albrighton started all but one of those, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
Under Claudio Ranieri he was a mainstay in the side, playing every single league game in 2015/16 as Leicester won the Premier League title. That season Villa were relegated.
Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez is congratulated by Marc Albrighton as he walks off to be substituted
Less than three years after being told he was not good enough to stay at Villa Park, barring injury, Albrighton is almost certain to be taking on European football’s elite in the Champions League last eight on April 11/12.
The weekend before the Villans face Burton Albion in the Championship. Poetic justice for Albrighton some might say.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
