Aston Villa: Win has lifted the home jitters - O'Neill

Aug 31 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

With Curtis Davies set to see a specialist about his shoulder problem this week and no further progress on signing Richard Dunne, Villa handed a competitive debut to Ciaran Clark.

And O’Neill was delighted with the composure the 19-year-old rookie showed alongside Carlos Cuellar at the heart of defence as Villa kept their first clean sheet of the season.

“He took it in his stride when I told him he was playing maybe about ten or 15 minutes before I announced the team,” said O’Neill.

“I think he looked round and kind of expected it, well done him.

“When I told him I was rubbish on my own debut that obviously gave him a big boost of confidence. Actually, I wasn’t, I scored!

“He wouldn’t remember that, even his grandfather wouldn’t remember.’’

Clark admitted it was a proud moment to make his first-team debut – but revealed he was relaxed when he found out he was in the starting line-up.

“I have been doing it for the reserves and in training as well,” he said.

“It is nothing new. I get paid to defend at the end of the day. We kept a clean sheet and that was great.

“The manager called me out of the dressing room 15 minutes before he usually announces the side.

“I went into his room and he asked me how I was feeling? I said good and he said ‘good, because you’re starting this afternoon’.

“I was delighted and couldn’t wait for it. I was really looking forward to it – I was desperate to get out for the warm-up.

“When it kicked off I got into it and it was brilliant.”