Allback's Learning Curve

Marcus Allback has vowed to fight on for a starting place, after a frustrating start to his Villa Park career, insisting: ：It・s been a good education for me.；

The Swedish international ace marked his debut with a spectacular InterToto Cup goal against FC Zurich in July, but has subsequently spent most of his time on the bench.

Allback is almost certain to be among the substitutes again at Chelsea tomorrow, but refuses to be downhearted as he goes into his first Premiership Christmas.

He said: ：I・ve had a great time since I・ve been here. Of course it would have been nice to have had a few more minutes on the pitch, but that・s the way it is.

：Competition for places in attack is tough here and for me the only way is to keep on fighting.

：It started out perfectly. I scored a goal in my first game. I had some time on the pitch at the start, then I wasn・t getting any time at all.

：Suddenly, a month ago, I came on and scored a goal against Fulham. I started the next game and now I・m back on the bench again.

：So it・s going up and down. It・s been a good education for me and hopefully I can use that in the future.；