By Paul Brown

Carlos Cuellar is determined to win back his centre-back place this season at Villa but insisted he would play anywhere - including in goal - if it was good for the team.

Cuellar is a no-nonsense central defender by trade but manager Martin O'Neill used him in the right-back spot last season as Villa finished sixth, contested a cup final and charged to a semi-final.

The Spanish stopper impressed many with his solid and consistent displays at full-back, keeping established stars Luke Young and Habib Beye out of the team.

Cuellar is now looking forward to his third campaign in claret and blue and hoping to excel in his more "natural" position.

But he was quick to point out he would play anywhere for Villa, including between the sticks if the boss needed him there.

He said: "I think it was a special case last season because they needed me there. But I think my natural position is centre-back.

"I am going to try and play at centre-back because it's where I feel happier and more confident. I think I play better there too.

"But I always do everything I can to help the team. If I'm needed at right-back I will play right-back - even midfield or goalkeeper - wherever the gaffer needs me.

"It's not a case of preferring to play at centre-back, I just feel more comfortable and confident there

"But I will play wherever the team needs me.

"I think I did well when I played at right-back - I felt comfortable. It was a new position and I tried to do better and better with every game."

Villa's backline was undoubtedly one of the very best in the Barclays Premier League last term, excelling with tough tackling, incisive intercepting and brilliant blocking.

It was a statistic Cuellar was very "proud" of.

He added: "It's great to be one of the best defences in the league. It generally means if you score a goal, you are going to win the game and get the three points.

"We didn't concede many goals last season and that made me proud."