Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

[DeLorean]

Injury free and available for Villa today, hopefully he gets some game time.

[DeLorean]

Not even on the bench.

[tricky_colour]

Villa have not got a point since they dropped Clark, mind you they have only got 4 points 3 v Bournemouth and 1 v Sunderland.
I doubt Clark is too happy about being dropped, maybe that is why he was not even on the bench, perhaps he has fallen out with Villa?

This is the 6th straight defeat fro Villa and he can't even get on the bench.

Sherwood getting sacked would be best for him I think.

[Charlie Darwin]

Sherwood will be gone in a couple of weeks. Clark should be back in before that because Villa's defenders are rubbish. Terrible team though - I suspect he'll be playing in the Championship for them soon.

[DeLorean]

I find it hard to accept he wouldn't have made the bench if available. Surely they thought he'd make it but just missed out. It's kind of strange that they fought off the West Brom interest in the summer but have replaced with a West Brom player in Lescott. Possibly just as well he didn't go to West Brom in one way though as it will probably be easier to get into the Villa side with the likes of James Chester struggling to see game time at The Hawthorns. He could have been an ideal partner for Jonny Evans all the same, who has said in the past that he's much more comfortable as a right sided centre back. Not sure which side he's playing on at the moment? Came across this actually, the last line looks pretty funny in hindsight!

Clark v Lescott (http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/09/07/lescott-or-clark-who-should-be-aston-villas-left-sided-centre-ba/page/1/)

[elroy]

Sherwood gone. No surprise really. Will be interesting to see who takes over that bag of mess.

[DeLorean]

Big Sam should have held out for that job!

[seanfhear]

Sherwood gone. No surprise really. Will be interesting to see who takes over that bag of mess.I would suggest that the next Villa manager plays Clark more than Sherwood did. (And I ain't no rocket scientist)

[tricky_colour]

Villa have not got a point since they dropped Clark, mind you they have only got 4 points 3 v Bournemouth and 1 v Sunderland.
I doubt Clark is too happy about being dropped, maybe that is why he was not even on the bench, perhaps he has fallen out with Villa?

This is the 6th straight defeat fro Villa and he can't even get on the bench.

Sherwood getting sacked would be best for him I think.

Ha ha I posted that at 25/10/2015, 12:45 AM

He was sacked about 7 hours ago less than 12 hours after I posted!

[tricky_colour]

I find it hard to accept he wouldn't have made the bench if available. Surely they thought he'd make it but just missed out. It's kind of strange that they fought off the West Brom interest in the summer but have replaced with a West Brom player in Lescott. Possibly just as well he didn't go to West Brom in one way though as it will probably be easier to get into the Villa side with the likes of James Chester struggling to see game time at The Hawthorns. He could have been an ideal partner for Jonny Evans all the same, who has said in the past that he's much more comfortable as a right sided centre back. Not sure which side he's playing on at the moment? Came across this actually, the last line looks pretty funny in hindsight!

Clark v Lescott (http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/09/07/lescott-or-clark-who-should-be-aston-villas-left-sided-centre-ba/page/1/)

When you look at those stats is it mad they start Lescott a head of Clark, indeed Clark has the best stats at villa 7.51, Lescott is only 6.61 nearly a full point behind.

Indeed that would make him the 14th best player in the Premiership Lescott is 220th!!

I said he must have falling out, indeed he should have fallen out as there is no way Lescott should be ahead of him, he aught to be furious!!

My next prediction is that Clark will start the next match, with Lescott probbaly dropped.

[geysir]

Stan's sidekick, our old vice manager, takes temporary charge of Villa.

Meanwhile the search for a Tim lookalike is set in motion,
top candidate is Remi Garde
http://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M8465799fad647d5432e07b9c5a4e7b30o1&w=78&h=78&c=7&pid=1.1

[OwlsFan]

Stan's sidekick, our old vice manager, takes temporary charge of Villa.

Bobby Robson is back !!??

[Charlie Darwin]

Bobby Robson is back !!??
First assistant manager, second assistant manager, whatever.

[tetsujin1979]

back in the starting lineup for Villa tonight against Southampton, currently 1 down

[tricky_colour]

back in the starting lineup for Villa tonight against Southampton, currently 1 down

says he is "back from injury"

Grealish on bench, but it is a cup match so not gonna draw any conclusions from the selection.

2-0 down now.

[DeLorean]

Clark was poor for the second goal as he left Pelle drift in behind him. The first goal was the other centre backs fault I think, presumably Crespo. Clark followed his man but Crespo was too slow closing down Yoshida and then seemed to turn his back on the shot.

[paul_oshea]

Was it CD with another great one liner about having Clark for a man marking job on lewandoski or something? Dembele juat brushed him aside.woeful defending.

[Charlie Darwin]

No Paul, I learned my lesson long ago to only ever predict players to make mistakes.

[Stuttgart88]

He was terrible for the first goal and it sounds like he is having a nervy game all round. BBC website saying he doesn't look like a Premier League defender.

[DeLorean]

Didn't see much of it but I really felt for him for the goal. It's one of those ones where you kind of know straight away that you've got too close and are in trouble. He'd have probably got away with it against a lot of players but Dembele's as strong as a horse! His fellow defenders, Lescott in particular, could have helped him out too but were slow to react to the danger. What does a Premier League defender look like anyway?! Every week we see pathetic defending from most clubs, individually and collectively. Clark may have had a bad night but he's a good player I think and will keep improving.

[Stuttgart88]

It was terrible defending but equally it was very odd how a centre back got isolated on the touch line and Dembele's run to goal went totally unchecked. Did nobody see fit to try and cover?

I like Clark and wouldn't be unhappy if he played in the play offs. I'm not 100pc convinced by any of our CBs.

[DeLorean]

His biggest crime was probably not just dragging him to the ground before he got into the box. He got too close to a guy out by the touchline, it was very poor but there's no way that mistake should result in a goal, or at least not a goal for Dembele. Yeah, God knows why he was out there in the first place. Hopefully Garde won't hold it against him for too long. I'm sure Lescott and Richards will have their moments as well, maybe Clark's ability on the ball will be a positive factor with this manager.

[the doc]

It was terrible defending but equally it was very odd how a centre back got isolated on the touch line and Dembele's run to goal went totally unchecked. Did nobody see fit to try and cover?

I like Clark and wouldn't be unhappy if he played in the play offs. I'm not 100pc convinced by any of our CBs.

I know Clarky, he's a good lad, but anyone who thinks he will get any better and cut out his regular mistakes is living in a dream world.

The thought of Clark and Keogh as a CB pairing is frightening!

[Charlie Darwin]

Almost as frightening as Keogh and SSL.

[DeLorean]

I know Clarky, he's a good lad, but anyone who thinks he will get any better and cut out his regular mistakes is living in a dream world.

Good point. Defenders never improve with age and experience. You know your footie :ball:

[the doc]

Good point. Defenders never improve with age and experience. You know your footie :ball:

How long has he been making such mistakes and still not improving?

He has enough experience now yet still makes errors.

Same with Keogh.

[the doc]

Almost as frightening as Keogh and SSL.

Oh Chazza, you're such a hoot! Yawn!!!!!

[DeLorean]

How long has he been making such mistakes and still not improving?

Says who? He was playing very well during the initial Sherwood revival last season until he got injured.


He has enough experience now yet still makes errors.

There are much better and more experienced defenders than Clark still making errors. Vincent Kompany could put out his own bloopers DVD for his performances over the past couple of seasons. The easiest thing in the world is to highlight a defender making mistakes, they're never too far away, but Clark does need to cut down on the really bad ones like the other night.


Same with Keogh.

Had one howler recently but is having a fine season. Would definitely prefer better than him against Bosnia though, no doubt.

[DeLorean]

Encouragingly Clark retains his place for this afternoon's game with Manchester City. Micah Richards returns from suspension but it's Lescott that has dropped to the bench. City's performance midweek would make you fear for him a bit but at least Silva and Aguero are still absent.

[DeLorean]

He was lucky not to concede a penalty as he made contact with Sterling's toe in the penalty area as he was trying to side step him. It would have been soft enough but probably was a penalty. Sterling's delayed reaction and generally going down like a little bitch helped Clarky out I think. One more scary moment shortly afterwards where he should have put the ball out for a throw but miss hit it and De Bruyne ran clear down the right, but his ball across was just too fast for Sterling to get on the end of it. Other than that it's been fairly easy for Villa so far, City not motoring at all really.

Edit- nice clean sheet for Clark and a good point for Villa. He had a decent second half which included one of his vintage tackles on Navas. He also made a good job of covering for his left backs mistake at one point in a very similar situation to when he was hung out to dry on Monday night! Surely a starter in Bosnia?

[tricky_colour]

Clean sheet v Man City suggests he does not make that many mistakes.
Man City have scored in every other game they have played this season him and away apart from the the away game v Man U.

I expect Man City's keeper Joe hart has made more mistakes this season!

Everyone make mistakes form time to time.

[SwanVsDalton]

Clark and Richards today showing that one of Sherwood's (many) mistakes was signing Lescott and then making him a fixture - he's been dire since signing.

I'd have in for Bosnia, definitely.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought he did really well today.

I'd start him in Bosnia too, but torn between CB and LB. Probably LB, because I want Brady to play LM.

[DeLorean]

I'd just play Wilson left back to release Brady, he's a bit more used to that position than Clark and Keogh/Clark might have a better balance than Keogh/Wilson. I'd be tempted to play Ward to be honest and go with Wilson/Clark. Or, indeed, just leave Brady left back. Plenty for MON to ponder.

[DannyInvincible]

Either one of Clark-Keogh or Clark-Wilson would fill me with greater confidence than Keogh-Wilson, for some reason. Purely gut feeling. Would probably favour Clark with Keogh.

[Paddy Garcia]

He actually got man of the match, and made a game high 11 clearances!

[DeLorean]

It's so fickle. If the referee had (correctly?) given the penalty against him he'd be in the firing line big time, especially after Monday night. Delighted for him though, he deserved a break.

[tricky_colour]

He actually got man of the match, and made a game high 11 clearances!


Interesting, he was 4th best for Villa and 8th best in the game here, Sagna got MOTM.

http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/959639/Live/England-Premier-League-2015-2016-Aston-Villa-Manchester-City

[DeLorean]

Clark was absent from the Aston Villa squad on Saturday. I presume he must have been injured but I can't find anything online. The commentator on MOTD mentioned that Lescott came in for "the injured Richards" and Okore started his first PL game since losing 6-1 in the same ground last season. I saw a good bit of the game, Villa didn't defend well at all but Southampton were extremely wasteful. Villa were blessed to get a point really.

[OwlsFan]

Clark was absent from the Aston Villa squad on Saturday. I presume he must have been injured but I can't find anything online. The commentator on MOTD mentioned that Lescott came in for "the injured Richards" and Okore started his first PL game since losing 6-1 in the same ground last season. I saw a good bit of the game, Villa didn't defend well at all but Southampton were extremely wasteful. Villa were blessed to get a point really.

Suspended https://www.clubcall.com/aston-villa/villa-boss-garde-handed-new-headache-1791058.html?

[BonnieShels]

Only a matter of time really.

[SkStu]

He was a suspension waiting to happen really. I always said it.

[BonnieShels]

He was a suspension waiting to happen really. I always said it.

Liability. He'll never move to Cork at the end of his career with those stats.

[DeLorean]

It will be interesting to see if he slots straight back in.

[geysir]

He was a suspension waiting to happen really. I always said it.
It's been waiting to happen, especially after him picking up his fourth yellow a while back.

[SkStu]

I know Geysir but I always had a hunch that he would get a suspension in his career. I don't know what it is - I guess im a bit psychic and I just really know how to judge a player.

[backstothewall]

It will be interesting to see if he slots straight back in.

Villa have serious problems at left back without Amavi. He could be an option there

[BonnieShels]

I know Geysir but I always had a hunch that he would get a suspension in his career. I don't know what it is - I guess im a bit psychic and I just really know how to judge a player.

It's cos you know your footie.

[geysir]

Its' cos you know your footie.
I agree Bonnie (apart from your apostrophe placement, I really have never heard of an Irish centre half (e.g. Richard Dunne) making/missing tackles and picking up yellow/red cards aplenty, so ffs to Sku for predicting that one.
Hard to say if it was more insightful than 'Coleman is a heartbeat away from giving away a penalty', but it's up there.
Maybe Villa are a team under pressure and whose back 4 come under pressure a lot but it would be mean to quibble over such perfect footie knowledge.

I am now a bit shy to predict that Randolph will eventually concede another goal.

[BonnieShels]

I agree Bonnie (apart from your apostrophe placement, I really have never heard of an Irish centre half (e.g. Richard Dunne) making/missing tackles and picking up yellow/red cards aplenty, so ffs to Sku for predicting that one.
Hard to say if it was more insightful than 'Coleman is a heartbeat away from giving away a penalty', but it's up there.
Maybe Villa are a team under pressure and whose back 4 come under pressure a lot but it would be mean to quibble over such perfect footie knowledge.

I am now a bit shy to predict that Randolph will eventually concede another goal.



Such boldness. Such insight.