Defender Carlos Cuellar enjoying life at Villa

Jun 24 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Post

Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar is eagerly awaiting his second season in the Premier League after expressing his satisfaction at life at Villa Park.

Cuellar is set to have a greater part in the forthcoming campaign after the injury-enforced retirement of club captain Martin Laursen.

The Spanish centre-half endured a frustrating opening year in English football following his £7.5 million switch from Scottish giants Rangers last August.

Cuellar had to bide his time to get into the first team, initially in an unfamiliar right-back role, before eventually getting a chance in his natural position.

However, Cuellar, who has quickly got to grips with speaking English, insists he is enjoying his time at Villa and glad that he moved down from the Scottish Premier League.

“I’m very happy here,” said Cuellar. “I’m very grateful to the club for giving me this opportunity to play in the best league against the best players.

“I love playing football. This is the best place for me and my career.

“It’s different to in Scotland. There the football is more direct and strong, here football is strong but you have a lot more technically gifted players and the teams are stronger than in Scotland.”

Towards the end of last season, Cuellar was forced to share Villa’s central defensive duties with Zat Knight and Curtis Davies, with Martin O’Neill choosing to chop and change because of form and fitness.

However, the former Osasuna stopper has been pleased with most of his own performances, while his manager has backed him to go from strength to strength, and produce his best form next season.

“I think I’ve played as well as the other defenders,” said Cuellar.

“We have good players here, the only small problem was the last group of results.

“I think my performances have been in line with the other players.

“When I arrived I had an injury and the team were winning so I knew I would have to wait for my chance.

“I trained hard and tried to improve every session. I knew we had so many league and cup games, I just had to wait.

“I think the people here are happy with me and my performances,” he added.

n Juventus have agreed to sell former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg to Olympiacos for 2.5 million euros.

Mellberg, aged 31, joined Juve last summer as a free agent from Villa and made 27 Serie A appearances for the Turin giants.

“After one season, Juventus salute Olof Mellberg,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

“The Swedish defender leaves the Bianconeri to join Greek club Olympiacos on a permanent transfer for a 2.5 million euros fee.”

Juventus, who finished as Serie A runners-up behind Inter Milan, bolstered their defence last month by re-signing veteran centre-back Fabio Cannavaro from Real Madrid.