Marc Albrighton's praise for caretaker

Martin O'Neill was rated as one of the game's best man managers - but Marc Albrighton reckons Villa caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald's motivational skills are better.

MacDonald's reign got off to a dream start on Saturday, when an Albrighton-inspired Villa cruised to a 3-0 opening-day victory over West Ham.

It came just five days after O'Neill walked out on the club and the winger, a regular under MacDonald in the reserves in the previous two seasons, has heaped praise on the Scot for the way he has headed off a potential crisis at B6.

Albrighton said: "He is more of a man-manager. He will get the best out of you. If you are not doing it right he will bawl at you and shout.

"I don't think the lads are used to it but will take well to it. If you are not doing it right you have to be told.

"And if you are doing it right you need confidence breeding in you and I think he will do that.

"He knows how to get the best out of a player. If you are not doing it right he will tell you, but if you are doing it well he will heap the praise on you and put confidence into you.

"I don't think you can ask for much more from a manager. I know what kind of man he is and the rest of us like him as the manager.

"With the manager bringing confidence to you it is a great feeling. He wants everything done right and, with his style of management, he gets everything done right.

"His record at reserve level has been brilliant, so he will step into Martin O'Neill's shoes for the next couple of weeks and I think he will do really well."

As for Albrighton, it's now not just Villa supporters who know what the Tamworth terroriser can do.

After playing a part in all three goals against the Hammers in what was his full debut, Albrighton, who was also the star of the claret and blues' pre-season, suddenly finds himself in the national spotlight.

The 20-year-old was picked out for praise on Match of the Day, as well as being the subject of plenty of positive media coverage.

Not that there is any chance of the modest Tamworth-born academy starlet getting ideas above his station.

He said: "I have done it for one game of the season and have to keep my feet on the ground.

"As soon as I came off the pitch James Milner said you have set a standard you have to keep going for 37 games and he is bang on."

The winger was replaced to a standing ovation on Saturday and admits he "loved every minute" of his playing time on the pitch.

He said: "It was a great experience to be out there in front of a full house and I think the lads really enjoyed it.

"We got off to a great start with three points and you can't really ask more than that. When you go out there you just have to blank everything out and get on with how I have played my football for years.

"I think I did that and it paid off. To get a start, Kevin MacDonald put confidence in me and it was a great start.

"I really enjoyed every minute of it. I knew I was going to have to be patient last season. We have a great squad with Ashley Young and some great wingers.

"But now with my start hopefully I can push on."

By Brendan McLoughlin