Source: Daily_Mail
Albrighton ready to stand up to Bale force: Villa ace looking to kick-start season with home win
Marc Albrighton, Aston Villa's young right-winger, has backed himself to get the better of Tottenham's scorching left-back Gareth Bale when the sides meet at Villa Park on Boxing Day.[LNB]The 21-year-old has cemented his place in the Villa side this season and believes he has what it takes to outsmart the Welsh wizard and help his side to victory, which would be 'the best Christmas present I could get'. [LNB]Bale, who has netted 10 goals already this campaign, has been in white hot form and torn apart sides with his pace and crossing accuracy - European champions Inter Milan can attest for that.[LNB] No fear: Marc Albrighton scored his first senior goal for Villa in October's game at White Hart Lane, but his side lost 2-1[LNB] Spurs lost 4-3 at the San Siro despite Bale's sensational hat-trick but in the return fixture Bale once again bamboozled Brazilian right-back Maicon - for many the best in the world - and Tottenham won 3-1 to give them one of their most memorable results in the club's history.[LNB]After that game manager Harry Redknapp heaped praise on the 21-year-old, whose 136 crosses are the most in the Premier League this season, and said: 'He's an amazing young player. [LNB]'He plays left-back, he plays wide left, he scores goals, he can run all day. Even first half, he gave the right-back a torrid time, I felt. The right-back's one of the best right-backs in the world.'[LNB]Wing wizard: Bale has already netted 10 goals for Spurs this season and has made 136 crosses in the Premier League - more than any other player[LNB] But Albrighton has no fear about facing Bale. And when the sides met in October at White Hart Lane it was the England Under-21 star who struck first blood, netting after only 16 minutes.[LNB]Two Rafael van der Vaart goals gave Spurs all three points, but Albrighton believes if he can win his personal battle with Bale, then his side will have a great chance of kick starting their season at Villa Park.[LNB]'It will be a tough afternoon with the likes of Gareth, who is up there as one of the best in the world at the moment - but that's part of my job,' he said. 'All the top wingers get back to help their full-back out, it's vital.[LNB]'He is having a fantastic season and is showing himself to be an unbelievable player - I rate him massively.[LNB]'He's shown that on the Premier League stage and in the Champions League. He tore world-class defenders apart like they weren't there.[LNB]'Just look at his performance against Maicon of Inter Milan. It was sensational. He'll be tough to cope with but I'm confident we have the players to do that. [LNB]'If we keep him quiet, hopefully that means we keep Tottenham quiet and get a good result.'[LNB]G?rd Houllier's Villa are currently 15th in the Premier League and only four points above the relegation zone. They have gained only four points in their last six outings, but Albrighton is preparing to dig deep against Spurs.[LNB] Double trouble: A Rafael van der Vaart (left) brace downed Villa in October, but Albrighton believes that if he stops Bale (right) then they can win on Boxing Day[LNB] The Villa trainee continued: 'I have to do my defensive work as well as my attacking and my defensive game will be massively important against Tottenham.[LNB]'But I have had that drilled into me since I have been at Villa. It's not all about attacking, scoring goals and making chances. [LNB]'If you're leaking them at the other end, you're not going to win games. Three points against Spurs would be great - it would be the best Christmas present I could get. It would help us push on this season.[LNB]'I scored my first top-flight goal against them earlier this season. I'd love to do the same in the return match at Villa Park - this time in a win.[LNB]'But it will be a difficult game. They are flying and full of confidence but we have taken points off Manchester United and Chelsea so there's no reason why we can't get a result in this one.'[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Harry Redknapp, Gareth Bale Places: United Kingdom
