Leicester City's Marc Albrighton pays tribute to girlfriend's mum tragically killed in Tunisia terrorist attack

Former Villa midfielder says terror attack heartbreak puts life into perspective

(Getty)

Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton says the tragic death of his girlfriend's mother in the Tunisian terrorist attack in June puts everything into perspective after his magnificent performance this weekend.

The former Aston Villa man was in fine form for Claudio Ranieri's side as the Foxes swept Sunderland away with a breathless display to emerge as 4-2 victors on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign.

Sue Davey and partner Scott Chalkley were among the 38 killed when a gunman opened fire on holiday-makers at a tourist resort at Port El Kantaoui, 10 kilometres north of the city of Sousse.

The attack in Tunisia killed 38 tourists, including 30 Britons (PA)

Albrighton, 25, delivered a stunning personal display, providing two assists to Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, before grabbing a goal of his own. Speaking after the match, he revealed the thought of his partner Chloe's mum spurred him on at the King Power Stadium.

"You look at life and everything in a different light and different way," he said. "You think about what is important and what is not important.

"If I can play football then it is taking my mind off things and if I am doing well my family are happy and that is all I can ask for. I will see them now and they will all be happy, when you see them smiling it is the best thing in the world."

The former England under-21s ace, who signed for the East Midlands club last summer, ran towards his family in the stands, gesturing up at the sky, after scoring Leicester's fourth of the afternoon.

"At the minute we have my girlfriend's brother Conor Fulford living with us. He was getting into me last night saying you need a celebration, you need to do something for my mum.

"We were racking our brains and couldn't think. Chloe has been saying her mum has been up there putting a few things right and she has definitely helped me out today."

Albrighton was brought into the set-up at Leicester by former manager Nigel Pearson, but says new boss Ranieri is settling in well after his surprise appointment last month.

New boss Ranieri got off to the best possible start at Leicester (Getty)

Talking to the Daily Mirror, he added: "It has been brilliant, he noticed we did well towards the end of the season so he has not changed too much. He has come in and put his mark on the side and come in with a couple of fresh ideas.

"We are working on them and it showed today it worked. Especially today we felt confident attacking and felt like we could create something and get goals every time we were going forward.

"When you feel like that and are in a confident mood it is only good for the team."