Aston Villa: Battle for place in the defence gets tougher
Oct 8 2010 by Ken Montgomery, Birmingham Mail
CARLOS Cuellar is the temporary victim of Villa’s vibrant competition for places at the back, according to Luke Young.
Cuellar was the odd man out when he lost his place to Richard Dunne for last weekend’s narrow defeat to Spurs at White Hart Lane.
Dropping to the bench was harsh on the Spanish defender, who excelled at centre-back in the win at Wolves the previous week.
Young knows all about the frustration of kicking his heels on the sidelines after Cuellar took his right-back slot last season.
But the 31-year-old defender admits Cuellar is more competent in the centre and is breathing down the necks of Dunne and James Collins.
And Young also recognises the continued challenge for his own No.2 role from Cuellar, Habib Beye and academy graduate Eric Lichaj.
The former Middlesbrough favourite reckons the competition underlines the depth of new boss Gerard Houllier’s defensive options.
Young believes competition for places at a club is healthy providing players have a realistic prospect of forcing their way into the team.
“I think Carlos played excellently, albeit at centre-half,” said Young.
“I’m not sure he’s a massive fan of playing full-back anyway.
“But he can play there and he played there last season in front of me.
