Cian's mixed feelings

Cian Harries admitted he could not have wished for a better place to make his Championship debut - but he was left frustrated by defeat at Villa Park.

Harries was a boyhood Aston Villa fan and spent seven years in the club's academy before switching to Coventry at the age of 14.

So it was a special moment for the 21-year-old as he made his first league appearance for the Swans at Villa yesterday.

Harries lined up in a back three alongside Joe Rodon and Mike van der Hoorn, while he also had a spell at left-back before Graham Potter shuffled his pack.

And though the day ended in defeat, Harries is hopeful the experience will serve him well as he strives for further opportunities at senior level.

“I’m buzzing to have made my first league start,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for it to have come at a better place.

“Just like the rest of the boys, I need as many games as I can get at a young age.

“Occasions like this are only going to help me in the long run, so long may it continue.”

Harries, who captained the under-23s during the second half of last season, believes Potter’s side can take plenty of positives from their performance this weekend.

“It was a game that was quite close in the end,” he added. “They started better and we were a bit slow to get going.

“Once we got a grip on the game, I thought we were the better team for about 60 or 65 minutes.

“To come to a full Villa Park and take a grip for the majority of the game is a real positive for us.

“I’m just really disappointed that we couldn’t nick a point or all three in the end.”