Cuellar relishing duel with in-form Fulham hitman Pogrebnyak

By Dan Harrison

Carlos Cuellar is relishing his duel with Pavel Pogrebnyak this afternoon after admitting the Fulham striker has taken the Barclays Premier League by storm.

The in-form Russian hitman has scored five goals in three games since arriving from German side Stuttgart, including a hat-trick in Fulham's 5-0 win over Wolves last weekend.

But Cuellar has vowed to halt Pogrebnyak's red-hot streak and help Villa to a victory in front of the Villa Park faithful.

The two players almost crossed paths when Rangers met Zenit St Petersburg in the 2008 UEFA Cup final.

However, Pogrebnyak was suspended and missed out on the showpiece as Zenit triumphed over Cuellar's Rangers.

"I'm looking forward to facing him," said Cuellar.

"You always want to play against the best players and it is a good challenge for the defenders.

"He is doing well, he is strong and now he is the striker everyone is looking at in the Premier League.

"We will try to do a good job to stop him and win the game.

"I didn't play him in the final - I think he was suspended.

"But I will make sure I test him this time!

"But it is not only one player - he is scoring because the rest of the team behind him are doing a really good job.

"They are doing well and it will be a hard game.

"But we've got good players, good quality and we will fight to win the game."

Aston Villa v Fulham