Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark has claimed that being thrust into action in a bid to save the club's season has given him vital experience.

The 22-year-old believes that the senior members of the squad have worked hard for the Midlands club, despite manager Alex McLeish publicly criticising his team for not pulling their weight.

"There are a load of exciting young players here," the Daily Star quotes Clark as saying. "You have to grow up quickly in a relegation fight, but the experienced lads helped. All the lads have put in a great shift."

Clark helped lead his side to safety with a strike in Villa's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.