Marc Albrighton has backed his Aston Villa teammate to put his recent driving ban behind him.

Bannan was found to be under the influence of alcohol after his car had crashed into the central reservation of the M1 in October.

However, winger Albrighton believes that Bannan will be able to put his personal troubles behind him.

"He was eager to take his punishment and then get on with playing football. That's what he lives for," Albrighton told the club's official website. "He's had some great support, the lads have been right behind him.

"He knows what he's done, nobody needs to tell him, he's received his punishment and now he just wants to get back to establishing himself as a top-class footballer. And he definitely will do.

"He's got a special talent which not many players have. He sees things before others and it's not just about seeing it, he can execute it too. He has that ability in him."

Bannan admitted yesterday that he was lucky to be alive following the incident.