Albrighton 'fit and raring to go' for Aston Villa

The young midfielder endured a string of injury problems toward the end of the last campaign but insists he will be ready for pre-season training which starts next week

Aston Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton says he has regained fitness in time for pre-season training ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

The 22-year-old suffered a thigh injury last term and then two further recurrences which ensured he featured in just 22 league matches.

However, following rigorous assessment from the Midlands outfit's medical team, the Sutton Coldfield-born midfielder says he is ready to resume training next week.

"I am fit and I am raring to go. I strained my thigh three times in three months which was really frustrating," he told The Independent.

"But I have come in during the summer to make sure it is healing well and looking good. The physios are very positive about it and say it is progressing well."

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Albrighton made 37 appearances for the Villans in his debut season, scoring six goals, and is keen to repeat those performances this term after finally shrugging off his injury woes.

He added: "I had a good first season but the second wasn't so good. It's a huge season ahead for me.

"I'm looking to impress early on and get the confidence which will take me on for the remainder of the season.

"There is a new gaffer [Paul Lambert] and I'm relishing the chance to try and impress and the challenges ahead."