Ciaran Clark - now gone

[OzVilla]

Ciaran Clark is far better suited to be a defensive midfield player imo.

However, I still think he can grow into a first choice CB for many years for us, although next season will be a bit of a make or break for him.

There were many saying exactly the same thing last summer.

Prepared to give him the benefit to the doubt though this season as having to play alongside a defensive unit that was all learning at the same time was less than ideal. Also had hoped Vlaar would have been more of the leader of the defensive pack than he has been hence Clark had to do that job when not in the best of form.

Still love to see him get a go as a defensive midfielder though as that's where I see his attributes developing best.

[Matt Collins]

In the fast paced system lambert wants to play he's a centre back or nothing and lambert has said as much

[paulcomben]

@MatKendrick: Ciaran Clark is Villa's latest injury worry. He has been ruled out of Ireland duty with a foot tendon problem.

[eastie]

Nothing to worry about here - he has 2 weeks to recover .

[paulcomben]

Yes. Misses the chance to impress MON and Keano, though.

[Matt Collins]

Sounds like he should be back for the next one. I'd definitely play him ahead of Baker.

[Ad@m]

Has anyone seen his passing ability of two years ago?  It appeared to be completely missing yesterday!

[not3bad]

I do believe the stats say Ciaran was our second most successful passer behind Westwood, but Villa's passing in general has been wayward this season so he was second best of a bad bunch.

[aj2k77]

On the plus side he hasn't been pulled around anywhere near as much as last season.

[ozzjim]

I think he has been a real bright spot of the season, one wild swing at West Ham aside. Fair play to him, he actually looks solid most of the time now, and much improved on last season. Centre halves get better as they age, so he may well still become the player he threatened at 19-20.

[eastie]

Having kept successive clean sheets do people believe the back 4  should get another chance at the hawthorns or luna should return?

[ozzjim]

Back 4? Or 5? Or 4? Every time I looked it changed!

[Irish villain]

I think Clark will be a key player for us within one year. I'd now trust him at either centre back, full back or defensive midfield. He has really grown in stature.

[OCD]

Isn't he already a key player? Especially with Okore out for the season.

[supertom]

Clark has barely put a foot wrong this season. Our defence has looked pretty solid on the whole too. Any problems we have had have been the odd lapse at set pieces, or teams exploiting our isolated full back areas, but we've tightened up in those areas too.