Carlos Cuellar wants Aston Villa place

Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar today revealed his determination to challenge Richard Dunne and James Collins for a place at the back.

The Spanish centre-half underwent an operation on his knee in the summer, but completed 45 minutes for Villa's reserve team as they claimed a 1-0 win over Chelsea's second string on Monday night.

Dunne and Collins have made an impressive start to the season, but Cuellar is ready to take his chance should either player miss out because of form or fitness.

He said: "You are watching the game from the sidelines and sometimes you feel like you are going to jump onto the pitch because you need to play. Now I feel like a player again and the feeling is so good.

"I've got to try and build my fitness up and get back into the first team. I am ready to try and fight and get a place."