Aston Villa youngster Ciaran Clark is confident in his ability to continue filling in for Richard Dunne at Sunderland on Saturday.

The 21-year-old defender was called off the bench when Dunne picked up an injury during the opening minutes of last weekend's goalless draw with Chelsea.

The academy graduate helped keep the Premier League leaders at bay and almost scored himself when a late glancing header struck the woodwork.

Clark is now looking forward to more first-team opportunities, possibly starting at Sunderland on Saturday.

"I was told I was on the bench and you never know what can happen," he told the club's official website.

"Richey (Dunne) went down and the manager told me to go and warm up.

"There was a lot of pressure but when you get out there you just need to get your head down.

"You can't think 'I'm playing against big players.' You've just got to get on with it and we came out with a draw and everyone done well.

"There were a few nerves when I was running up and down the touch-line. But when I got on and got a few touches, I was good.

"I nearly scored. I turned around and I thought it was in but it came out off the inside of a post and I was a bit devastated. But it is just great to be out there.

"It is progress and it all looks good. When you play against top teams like Chelsea, it is good to have on your CV."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email