Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish was pleased to see Marc Albrighton shrug off poor early season form to score the 20,000th goal in the Barclays Premier League. The 22 year old academy product was outstanding during his first full season of top-flight football and was voted the club's young player of the year.

McLeish said: "Marc has climbed a mountain since the start of the season. He was doubting himself but the kid cares.

"He is conscientious, I told him the only thing you can keep doing is working hard. I told him 'You will get your chance and opportunity' and sometimes it changes just like that.

"He has excelled over the last few weeks and his goal against Arsenal was a classic case of never giving up and chasing lost causes.

"It's never over until the ball is out of play. Marc chased it down, took the gamble, got in there and finished with great aplomb."

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