Centre-back Clark commits to Villa

Clark, who made his Premier League debut against Fulham earlier this season, has committed himself to Villa until the end of the 2011-2012 campaign.The 20-year-old, currently captain of Villa's reserve side, has followed other highly-rated youngsters in Nathan Delfouneso and Marc Albrighton in putting pen to paper on new deals.Clark also earned his first call-up into the England Under-21 squad earlier this month and believes he is benefitting from working with experienced Villa defenders such as Richard Dunne and Carlos Cuellar.He said: "When you are training with defenders like Richard Dunne and Carlos Cuellar, it is a massive help."They really encourage you and, if you make mistakes, they keep your head up."If there is stuff they can help you with, they'll do that, and that helps you as a person and as a player."Clark added: "I've been with Villa since I was 12. It was great to make my Premier League debut and I hope I can push on and do well for Villa."I'm grateful and thankful for the new contract and now I'm going to knuckle down and work hard."Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: "Ciaran is a great character. I've said this about a couple of young players here, but if there's anybody you'd like to see make the grade it's Ciaran."He's very good and he's a cool young customer."

Source: Team_Talk