What a fantastic run of form this is! Aston Villa are really looking good to secure their spot within the play-offs and could yet be promoted this season. Who'd have thought that a few months ago? Amazing how football works. Indeed, amazing how Dean Smith works. 

After an inconsistent start, Smith has made vital improvements in recent weeks that has now seen Villa register themselves as promotion contenders. At last, the project looks its working for the former Brentford manager at his boyhood club.

Still, the heartache of last years play-off final loss is still fresh in the memory but there is now no reason to suggest why the Villans can't go all the way and make their long awaited top flight return. Players have improved which correlates to better results but the need for big changes in the summer is still of the highest importance.

Finances for Aston Villa are somewhat unknown meaning if they wanted to try and save money, giving a new contract and a chance in pre-season to defender Mitchell Clark, that wouldn't be a bad idea for the Villans.

Mitchell Clark has enjoyed a very successful loan spell with Port Vale, albeit a lot lower level than Aston Villa.

The fact is though, he now has more experience to his name and within that timeframe, has suggested why it would be a ludicrous decision on Villa's behalf to not reward him with a new contract.

With 42 appearances in all competitions thus far for Mitchell Clark, the versatile defender has helped keep 15 clean-sheets as he ranges from left to right back mostly. We know how bad the club's defence can be at times, so affording him the chance to shine could be a masterstroke.

Clark has always been considered to be a promising youngster in the Villa system and it would be a shame to neglect that potential by not offering him a new contract when it expires this summer. He could save the club an awful lot of money, after all.

Do you agree Mitchell Clark should be given a chance at Aston Villa? Join the discussion by commenting below...