Aston Villa have faced fierce criticism for their defensive fragilities in recent weeks but a defender they shipped out on loan last month has been shining, as reported by Birmingham Live.
19-year-old Mitchell Clark joined League Two side Port Vale on loan in August and has already established himself as a regular for the Valiants.
After starring in the club’s 2-0 win over Northampton Town yesterday, supporters were quick to commend the versatile defender for his display on Twitter. One supporter, Andy Fleming, claimed that he was ‘the best player on the pitch’ and another, Arron Williams, joked that Villa could not have Clark back at the end of his loan spell.
The former Wales under-19 international is enjoying life at Vale Park and claimed that he has ‘settled in really well’ in an interview with his loan club’s official website:
“I’ve settled in really well, playing four games, winning one and losing three. Despite that, in terms of performances from everyone, we’ve played well and I feel like I’ve played well.
“I’d rather have the team play well rather than me as it’s a team game, but I’m enjoying it and I know I’m coming here to play first team football which is good.
“League Two is a lot different to under-23s football as it’s more physical and there are more long balls than I had imagined, but you have to adapt to whatever is put in front of you.”
Clark will be hoping to retain his place in the starting eleven for Port Vale’s trip to Crewe Alexandra next Saturday. His parent club are back in action on Tuesday night, hosting Rotherham United at Villa Park.
