Ciaran Clark is on a hat-trick. The 21-year-old defender, forced into duty in midfield, has two second half goals, bringing Villa to within a goal after his 71st minute header left Arsenal witha 2-1 lead at Villa Park.
Aston Villa Vs. Arsenal: Ciaran Clark Flicks In Second Goal, Pulls Villa Within One
Fifteen minutes after Arsenal had re-built their two goal lead, Villa converted a corner kick, with Richard Dunner helping to offset his part in the Marouane Chamakh goal. The Villa central defender won the first ball, heading a ball toward goal from near 14 yards out. Clark was unmarked inside the six yard box and, with his back to goal, flicked the second ball onto the bottom of the bar, the rebound landing inside Arsenal’s goal.
Clark come into this match having never scored for Aston Villa. A natural defender, the English-born Ireland international is playing midfield to account for injuries to Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Fabian Delph, and other Vilal midfielders.
The match, now in the 78th minute, remains 3-2 Arsenal, with Stephen Ireland having entered the match for John Carew in the 66th minute. Arsenal has yet to use a substitute.
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