Aston Villa: Martin O'Neill backs Carlos Cuellar to become a star

Sep 17 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill has backed defender Carlos Cuellar to become a real star player for Villa this season after he played the game of his life against Blues.

The Villa boss was thrilled with the performance of his “Spanish Armada,” particularly with the centre-back being pushed out of position to accommodate new arrivals James Collins and Richard Dunne at centre-half.

Cuellar played out on the right and produced a fine display to help Villa to a 1-0 victory and he also pressed forward with menace, winning plaudits from supporters and the man-of-the-match award for the Villa camp to boot.

O’Neill described Cuellar, who he brought from Rangers 13 months ago, as “brave” and insisted there was more to come from the defender who he said has a “big, big heart.”