"Bend It Like Beckham"

It is known that poor soldier that does not dream to become a general. Most likely, Mark Albrighton not familiar with this phrase, nor with its author, even though life trying to adhere to this credo.

 He became a full-fledged part of their team only six months ago, but has already managed to get a crowd of fans, rave reviews of the leading trainers of the country and even their own fan club on Facebook. Soccer-1960.ru tells midfielder Aston Villa, which has become one of the major sensations of the season at Albion.
Nowadays, more and more people are nostalgic about football ninetieth - say, in those years, and football was a noble and sincere players, and lawns greener. We all have to look at the past through the prism of this cynical, but because the years left behind, seem even more enticing, and perfect. Many people do believe that modern footballers are interested not so much the "game of millions", as its side effects - primarily, it is a glory in a fan environment and fabulous contract with the sometimes obscene number of zeros.
No wonder that in such conditions at a special love Supporter doomed inmates Academy - the people who have not yet spoiled bad influence of sterling and faithful to his "alma mater" mother club. Because Mark Albrighton in Birmingham is not perceived as one of the most promising players on the team, as well as a longtime fan of the club and just a local guy. By the way, Mark still lives in a ten minute walk from the training field at Aston Villa in Bodimur Hit. 

Albrighton known to the public only six months, but during this time, Mark Albrighton had the impression that he came into our lives to stay. Albee, as he was nicknamed partners, young, successful and hungry to new victories - even a team as soon as twine on the bottom of the table, it is not a hindrance. Add to this natural charm, and that's before you newfound hero of the secular tabloids, which, incidentally, does not deprive him their precious attention. The guy pretty quickly stuck a cliche 'new Beckham', and Mark himself is not trying to get rid of it. Moreover, Albrighton not mind following in the footsteps of David - as in the field, and beyond.
"Look at what David does outside of sports. Once he went to Afghanistan where our soldiers are based. He should not have to do it, it's not his job. But he is willing to spend their time on such things. "
"He's a terrific person. He has a great reputation, wonderful children, family, David has everything what you only dream of. And he deserves it. "
However, the future has a nasty ability to be misleading. Albrighton full knowledge of the adult football had only a few months ago, but because the only thing at this moment relates it to "Spice-Boy" - is playing his role. Much more promising is as a parallel with James Milner, a formidable predecessor Mark on the right flank of the Villa. " Albrighton to rely less on brute physical power, preferring other, more elegant methods in the game, but some similarities with James is impossible to overlook.
In football, Mark came to the age of eight when, after a brief workout at a local children's team fought his way into the academy at Aston Villa. Now it's hard to believe, but Albrighton could well be in the camp of the evil enemy birmingemtsev - West Bromwich Albion. Mark just did not fit academy "blackbirds", and those probably still bite your elbows on the subject. The official reason for WBA refused to make, unknown until now, although many believe that everything is explained quite simply. Probably the case in physical parameters. Albrighton and now can boast Grenadier height (175 cm - approx.), And in his early years does seem too flimsy and weak for football.
"As a child I played the power forward position and try a whole bunch of problems. When I was 12-14 years old, my growth seemed to be too small compared with their peers - in those years, I almost did not grow up. It looked funny, I keep getting pushed off the ball! Because I could only rely on their speed. But when I had to deal with fast defenders, I could not help it. " 
Everything has changed only a couple of years, when the astute Gordon Cowans, one of the coaches academy Villas, Albrighton moved to the flank. There's the physical data, such as jet speed and miniature size, in contrast, have an ace up his sleeve Mark. He quickly got used to the new roles and still, even going into adult football, continues to match the match has already become home to surf the right-hand curb.
After going through all age levels Aston Villa Academy and made their way along the way to the semifinals of the youth of the FA Cup, Mark regularly surfaced in the reserve team. Not lost a guy and there, with the first match by becoming the leader of the team. In two seasons at Albrighton "villain" twice took the title of the southern conference champions, and the role of the midfielder can not be overestimated. Especially significant is the match Villa's with West Brom, in which Albrighton chalked up the ball and scored an assist, thus earning for his team the championship.
Of course, Martin O'Neill could not turn a blind eye to the successes of junior and once gave a guy a chance. Before the game against CSKA Moscow in the European League coach gave the players a rest of eight bases, instead of sending them to the snowy Moscow frank cannon fodder. Not surprisingly, the Aston Villa failed miserably in Russia, but a number of reservists, including Albrighton, was an unforgettable experience on this voyage. 

"Everything that I saw in Moscow was like in a different reality. Cold: 10 degrees below zero or something like that! And then there was a hell of a way home. After the game I had a special ointment to smear his legs, I spent the whole tube. But it was worth it! After the game I was approached by Curtis Davis, and said that now the boss (Martin O'Neill - approx.) Can count on us. "
Perhaps the Irish really trust their guys, but in bringing them to games adult team is in no way affected. If someone of the reservists at least bore hopes to move into the main part, the Albrighton has been demoralized by a hundred percent - in addition to his position of extreme midfielder to Aston Villa claimed just three players in the England team: James Milner, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing . Impressive?
Only six months later, before the start of the 2009/10 season, Albrighton, was called for World Cup («Peace Cup»), which took place in the middle of summer in Spain. The tournament brought together twelve well-known teams from ten countries, including giants such as Real Madrid, Lyon and Besiktas. Having successfully passed through the group stage (which Mark had scored - the goal of Mexican "Atlanta") in the semifinals and defeated Porto in the final game of the Villa "stumbled on the most serious contender to face Juventus.
"I remember when Alessandro Del Piero came off the bench. The first touch he took Mark Albrighton ball and cut a diagonal transfer for 60 yards (about 55 meters - approx.). I only said: "No shit myself!". And all the guys who were standing nearby, jaw dropped. "
The regulation time ended in a draw, and two extra-time winner is not revealed. Case smoothly flowed into a series of penalties, which were slightly stronger birmingemtsy - 4:3.
Another milestone for Albrighton was the match of the fourth round of the FA Cup against Brighton, in which midfielder appeared on the field from the first minute and was the main newsmaker of the team. One of the first gear brand led to a goal, and after twelve minutes he nearly severed his leg. Shit happens. The survey revealed that the injury was not as serious as originally thought, and he spent at the hospital just something about six weeks, but even this forced break is seriously knocked him out of a rut. 

"I was at the club with eight years of age and a lifetime waiting for this chance. The coach gave it to me, but it ended a bloody twelve minutes. It is impossible to convey in words what I felt at that moment. "
Season 2010/11 fans' Villa greeted with undisguised dismay that, in general, it is not surprising. Not only that confirmed the rumors about James Milner move to Manchester City, so still and Martin O'Neill for a few days before the start of the championship left office. One can argue endlessly about whether dismissal from his post as manager of the Irish team, but it is difficult to challenge the other: with a temporary appointment in his place of Kevin Macdonald's bosses are not lost. As a mentor, a backup team "villeins", he more than anyone else knew the ability of their guys.
McDonald great help to me over the past two seasons, when I played for reservists. It gave me confidence, and then gave the opportunity to prove himself in the first team. "
Yes, it is there, from the reserves, and there is an integral part of the current to obscenely young Villa's: Mark Albrighton, Barry Bennan, Nathan Delfuneso, Kieran Clarke, Eric Lehigh, Jonathan Hogg - and it's still an incomplete list. Kevin McDonald was only a time-servers, and was replaced by an ambitious Gerard Houllier - but he continued to the planned infusion of youth into the team. Perhaps it was an overdose of fresh blood tossed Aston Villa close to the relegation zone this season, but it's not terrible, the vast majority understands that this team is still ahead.
With regard to Albrighton, he began to perfect. The debut of his appearance in the start were in the first round, in which at Villa Park "bestowed at West Ham. Mark spent ninety minutes of side-by-side with James Milner, as if taking out of the hands the baton to the last. This was the last match, James T-shirt "Villas" and he said it well - goals scored. However, much greater furore has made himself Albee: 20-year-old midfielder spent two halves in the same breath, chalked up two assists and became the main opening round.
For more history you know for yourselves: and Albrighton ball into the goal van der Sar, and two assists in a meeting with West Bromwich, scouts who once admitted Mark unfit for football, and saving the output to replace the match with Chelsea. Albee, despite his youth, is not a burden for the team, but on the contrary, for six months became one of its leaders.
His attitude to the game is close to the ideal of any manager. Albrighton ready for 90 minutes plow curb on his penalty to a stranger, and he regularly helps Luke Young on the defensive, and then at jet speed rushes into a counter - and so the match for the match. Mark scores and makes it in large quantities. He has a natural boldness and courage: while many of his contemporaries throw up their hands in a hopeless situation, and frankly baffled by the difficulties he is ready to fight to the end. Often - to victory. 

No wonder that guy from the first match of the season ranked among the team leaders on the "goal + pass". To date - he inalienable parts of their team, a member of the England in the age category «U21» and chief - if taken outside the brackets Jack Wilshere - contender for the title of best young player in England.
Long ago, fourteen years ago, this award was David Beckham, who at that time only twenty-two. Albrighton for a year less, and he has every chance to achieve at least a small part of what made "Spice Boy". Fate - it's not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice, and now the future is in the hands of Mark.