Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill hails Villa rookie Clark
Clark, the England Under-19 captain, was thrown in at the deep end after Curtis Davies had failed to recover from his recurring shoulder problem.
The youngster, a product of the club's youth policy, did not put a foot wrong as Villa registered their first home league win of the campaign.
A first-half own goal and Gabriel Agbonlahor's first goal of the season wrapped up the points.
O'Neill said: "I thought Clark did really fine. Unfortunately Curtis has suffered a recurrence of the shoulder problem and will see a specialist in midweek.
"Clark took it in his stride when I told him he was going to be playing. He looked around as if he kind of expected it.
"Mind you, when I told him I was rubbish on my debut I'm sure it gave him a big boost of confidence!
"He led the youth team the season before last and is a great character. If there is anyone you would like to see make the grade, it is him.
"I believe he took a lot of confidence from pre-season when he stepped into the side for the Peace Cup and did very well.
"I think it was in his mind today that if he could cope with top European players, albeit in a pre-season tournament, then he could cope today."
O'Neill is still trying to sign Manchester City defender Richard Dunne and will step up his attempts to bolster his squad in the next 48 hours.
He said: "As regards Richard Dunne, I have been concentrating on the game today and have not seen our chief executive. But I'm going to utilise the time available between now and Tuesday."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson refused to blame his side's midweek trip to Russia for a Europa League qualifier for his side's poor performance.
He said: "It was a very poor performance from us. The ridiculous goal we gave away after three minutes did not help matters against a very determined and aggressive Villa team.
"It was not the most intelligent thing to do, to put us on the back foot straight from the start.
"We played a bit more like what I would expect in the second half but when the second goal goes in, that leaves you with a mountain to climb.
"We can't choose the excuse of tiredness from playing in Russia on Thursday. We have to find the energy and do better in games.
"We did not show enough energy against Chelsea last week and it was the same today.
"We have to work hard in training to sort that out and to defend better as a unit."
