Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton has spoken of being offloaded by Aston Villa.

The Leicester 2016 title-winner reckons he would still have been at Villa now had they not refused him a new contract in 2014.

Ahead of tonight's Carabao Cup semifinal first-leg, Albrighton said: “With Villa it has definitely been a blessing in disguise.

“I still hold a special place in my heart for Villa and always will do.

“It was tough leaving because being a Villa fan I would have stayed there as long as they would have had me.

“It turned out there was no contract offer there so Leicester came in and the rest is history.

“I did see it as a little bit of a risk though.

“They had only just come up but as soon as I walked through the door I saw the ambition and quality they had.

“Even now at 30, to say I have achieved everything and more than I have ever dreamed of is an understatement.

“It has been an incredible journey and I just want it to keep going as long as possible."