Aston Villa have confirmed that Academy graduate Mitch Clark has headed out on a loan spell for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign, and he hasn’t gone far – Port Vale.
We can confirm that @mitchellclark99 has joined @OfficialPVFC on a season-long loan.
All the best for the campaign ahead, Mitch!#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/lGimCwcBWx
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) August 16, 2018
The young fullback more than played his part in our Under 23 Premier League Cup success last season and also let’s not forget his involvement in us almost securing promotion as well, before narrowly losing out in the Play-Off Final at Premier League 2 level.
Clark joined up with the first team for our pre-season build up and for those fans who hadn’t been aware of him previously, well he’s certainly put himself on the radar of far more fans and extended his little fan club.
Delighted to join @OfficialPVFC on loan for the rest of the season! Can’t wait to get started????????⚽️ #PVFC
— mitchell clark (@mitchellclark99) August 16, 2018
The Port Vale move is the 19-year-old’s first spell away from the club and stepping into League Two will be a good test for him, but there’s plenty of confidence he’ll hit the ground running if the Valiants give him the chance.
He heads out having made his Villa debut back in August last year in our EFL Cup clash with Wigan Athletic.
He’s actually very good, should get game time here ffs
— Michael (@MichaelCAVFC) August 16, 2018
Good news, will do him the world of good, constant mens football. Not u23 div 2 kids stuff.
— Aston Radford (@RaddersAston) August 16, 2018
Good luck @mitchellclark99 , you’ll smash it x
— joe (@squareheadd) August 16, 2018
Great move @AVFCOfficial ????
Enjoy @mitchellclark99 , but it's a huge loss for us.— Claire ellis-m (@Claireellism2) August 16, 2018
Smash it ????
— Kieran ???????? ???? (@VillaPlug) August 16, 2018
All the best Mitch. Show them what you got. ????
— Andy (@AndyVilla80) August 16, 2018
Great opportunity to gain valuable experience. Good luck Mitchell ????????????
— Michael J Edwards (@MichaelJEdwar14) August 16, 2018
Predictably there were plenty of criticisms about the move and Steve Bruce’s decision to let him out on loan, but I fail to see the issue here. It’s the best thing for his future and with some fans moaning after three straight wins and moaning, even more, we didn’t hammer Yeovil with youngsters on the pitch, it’s only natural they moan about this I guess.
Cake and eat it much?
Ho hum, crack on Clarkie and make a proper name for yourself and return with an eye on the first team!