By Dan Harrison

Ciaran Clark wants to form a formidable central defensive partnership with Ron Vlaar after hailing the new signing's positive impact.

Clark reckons he has already developed a good understanding with the Dutch stopper after playing alongside him at Nottingham Forest and Werder Bremen.

The 22-year-old says Vlaar's renowned leadership skills are already rubbing off on Villa's back four.

"He came in for the first game and we'd only had a couple of days working together," said Clark.

"It does take a lot of getting used to when you are with someone new but we are working well together in training.

"We have already got a good understanding between each other and he speaks pretty good English too which helps.

"We are communicating well and he is getting on well with all the boys too.

"As soon as he came in we knew he was going to be one of those players that leads you through the game and help all the lads through it.

"He has got masses of experience behind him and hopefully he'll be able to take that into his Villa career and help everyone."

Clark has backed Vlaar to live up to his 'Concrete Ron' nickname by making life difficult for Barclays Premier League attackers.

But the former Feyenoord ace has also impressed Clark with his ball-playing ability.

"He is a big lad, he is very muscly and he is a tall lad as well so he is going to be hard to get past," Clark added.

"But he is good on the ball as well. He has shown he has got good feet and a good eye for a pass as well which is a bonus.

"I think he has shown in the games so far he is strong, he is quick and he can spot a pass."

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