Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar has insisted that he is happy with his central-defensive partnership with Ciaran Clark, but believes there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Clark has replaced the injured Richard Dunne in Villa's defence for the opening two months of the season, and while he has been impressed by the Irishman's contribution, Vlaar thinks they can continue to improve as a partnership.

Vlaar told the club's official website: "The partnership with Ciaran is good but I think we have to improve, for the team and for ourselves.

"Communication can always be better and we talk to each other a lot about moments in the game, situations that have happened and what can happen in the future.

"I think everybody has to improve. It is a long way but we have to keep it up and move forward."

Vlaar moved to Aston Villa from Feyenoord during the summer and he has featured in all seven of Villa's Premier League matches this season.