Ciaran Clark - now gone

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

[VillaAlways]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

Eh ?

[Toronto Villa]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

Do you honestly believe that Clark intended to hurt his opponent in that challenge? I've not heard that perspective yet.

[PeterWithesShin]

I don't think Clark tried to hurt him. I do think it was a bit shit the stick Villa fans gave the Leicester player though.

[Matt C]

He was heroic today. Looks like he's really trying to take his chance - fair play to him.

Thought his tackle was hard but fair - he cleanly took the ball.

[Villa in Denmark]

I thought Clark's tackle was well timed and a bit of a "don't fuck with me" after Ulloa had been putting himself about a bit and trying to bully Clark with a couple of attempts at Shearer-esque challenges.

Not nice to see a player get injured, but as one of the biggest complaints about the team in general is that we're too nice, and Clark in particular hasn't been strong enough it was actually nice to see him stand up for himself. And he's definitely been on the weights in the close season, he looks about 50% broader now.

Also noticeable how the team as a whole stepped up the tackling for a while after Westwood was injured.  A definite "wind your necks in" statement to Leicester, and again nice to see the team sticking up for themselves.

[Ian.]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

It was a great tackle, committed and fair.

[Witton Warrior]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

Enforcer Clark reported for duty - get in!

[rob_bridge]

He's had 6 good games. Let's hope he can build on it as he has had in his career one or two false dawns thus far.

[Fin Feds Dad]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

I don't see it that way at all - for me, it was a firm but fair challenge. I think if a challenge like that had been put in to a few of the Tottenham players after the Vertonghen 'challenge' on Westwood thinks would have been different in that game too.

We have been a soft touch for too long.

[supertom]

That was a quality tackle. Hard but fair. Nothing like Vardy's, who wrapping his legs round Westwood and had no chance getting the ball.
Clark's challenge was old school. Thought he led by example again.

[Brend'Watkins]

I loved that tackle for two reasons. 
1. It was a great tackle, full blooded and executed perfectly.
2. A great response to the awful tackle dished out on Westwood.

[London Villan]

I think he has grown up and matured over the last few games. Let's hope he can push on now...

[dicedlam]

Ciaran was very highly rated by Trapattoni when he was a youngster and hopefully now we will see the reasons why.
I believe going forward that both Clark and Okore will make a formidable partnership and will be the defensive pairing for the Villa for many years to come.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

That was a horrendous tackle in my opinion. He clearly went in to hurt the guy and that is something I don't want to see from a Villa player.

Do you honestly believe that Clark intended to hurt his opponent in that challenge? I've not heard that perspective yet.

I do. It was just after Westwood went off and there was absolutely no need to go in like that. What if he'd got sent off? What if that had led to a scuffle where one of our players got sent off? It was a stupid thing to do.

If it was the other way round, I imagine most of us would be furious.