Claudio Ranieri: It’ll be Albright on the night for Aston Villa
Lifelong Villa fan Albrighton will be back at Villa Park tonight with the high-flying Foxes, knowing his former club remain mired in a battle to remain in the top flight.
Remi Garde’s side picked up just their second win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night but they are still eight points from safety.
Leicester survived from a similarly precarious position last season and have since thrived, with Claudio Ranieri’s men only being kept off top spot by goal difference after a midweek win at Tottenham.
And Albrighton feels Leicester’s improbable escapology act can be used as a blueprint for Villa’s own attempts this time around.
“They will probably take heart from what we did last year,” he said.
“I’m sure that will get mentioned around Bodymoor Heath training ground that we managed to do it last season, so why can’t they pull it off this time?
“They will take confidence from the win against Palace and come Saturday, it is going to be a tough game.
“Just because they are bottom of the league there are no easy games to be played.”
Meanwhile, Ranieri expects the winger to be in the mood to show the powers that be at Villa Park that they were wrong to release him back in 2014.
“Maybe he is more motivated. I will speak with him,” the Italian said.
“I love Marc because he is fast, has good skill and suddenly he can do something special.
“He can make a cross, a last pass, a goal. I’m waiting for him to score again.
“It is important he is very attentive in our defence.
“I was a Roma fan and when I played against Roma, I wanted to win.
“After the match I’d say ‘what a pity’ but I am very happy.”
